Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has released an impact assessment for a proposed decree that would replace the country’s 2017 regulations on casino activity. The updated framework would revise how Vietnamese citizens may enter casinos and simplify procedures that both players and operators have described as overly burdensome.
Under the draft decree, the government would keep its existing eligibility criteria for Vietnamese citizens who want to gamble. Individuals must be at least 21 years old, possess full civil act capacity, buy an entry ticket, prove financial capability, and avoid inclusion on any family-requested or self-exclusion list. They would also continue to exchange Vietnamese dong for chips, which casinos must refund if unused or upon winnings. The Ministry of Finance said these guidelines have allowed regulators to manage local participation without significant enforcement issues.
The key change under discussion concerns the financial-capacity requirement. Officials noted that proving income or assets often involves gathering and presenting a mix of paperwork that slows down entry and complicates casino operations. The ministry acknowledged this as a recurring obstacle and is examining options to simplify the process. According to reports cited by Vietnamnet Global, the existing requirement has proven problematic because it involves presenting multiple documents, which leads to a rather cumbersome process for both player and operator. The ministry’s assessment suggests that a streamlined alternative—such as adjusting entry fees—could help reduce administrative demands.
Regulatory Review and Market Context
Authorities stated that the current legal structure for casino management remains comprehensive. It covers licensing, equipment imports, public security responsibilities, and foreign exchange monitoring. Even so, the ministry concluded that several sections of the existing decree should be updated to reflect new policy directions and better match practical needs.
The reassessment comes shortly after two major decisions: the government’s approval of permanent local gaming at Phu Quoc’s Corona Resort & Casino and its authorization for The Grand Ho Tram to admit Vietnamese players for a five-year trial. A similar pilot program will apply to the planned Van Don Integrated Casino & Tourism Complex, a US$2 billion development in Quang Ninh Province that aims to be fully operational by 2032.
Casino Performance and Pilot Outcomes
Vietnam currently has nine operating casinos—six smaller venues and three large integrated resorts—with two additional projects in development. Major properties are located in Ho Tram in Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province, Nam Hoi An in Quang Nam Province, and Phu Quoc in Kien Giang Province.
From 2017 through 2022, casino revenues totaled 22.89 trillion VND, or about US$950 million, and contributed 11.81 trillion VND, roughly US$490 million, to the national budget. Officials pointed out that these years included long periods of disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic. Corona Resort & Casino opened in 2019, followed by Hoiana in 2020, meaning both integrated resorts operated for only part of the reviewed period.
The pilot program at Phu Quoc, which permitted Vietnamese citizens to gamble between 2019 and 2024, produced notable results. Vietnamese players represented 52 percent of visitors but generated 88 percent of revenue. Most domestic patrons were men between 30 and 49 years old.
The Ministry of Finance emphasized that the draft decree aims to remove practical barriers and create a clearer regulatory environment as the domestic gaming sector expands. By easing administrative requirements while preserving oversight, officials hope to align casino governance with current market conditions and policy objectives.
