Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance is moving forward with plans to significantly overhaul betting regulations, proposing to increase the maximum daily limit for international football wagers to VND10 million (US$380). This marks a sharp jump from the current cap of VND1 million (US$38) per betting category, which has been in place since 2016.
The adjustment forms part of a new draft decree covering horse racing, dog racing, and international football betting. If approved, it would replace rules introduced eight years ago and reshape how betting is conducted in the country, according to VN Express.
Higher Cap Reflects Rising Income
Under the existing framework, gamblers can place up to VND1 million on each of the 10–15 betting categories typically offered per match—such as predicting scores, total goals, cards issued, or the first scorer. In practice, this often allowed much larger combined wagers than the proposed single daily cap.
The Ministry argues that the higher consolidated limit reflects Vietnam’s changing economic conditions. Since the current decree took effect in 2016, the nation’s per capita income has risen by about 1.8 times to roughly US$4,700. While the proposed VND10 million cap is far above the old ceiling, officials stress it is still designed to discourage excessive gambling. The minimum bet would remain unchanged at VND10,000 (about US$0.38).
Stricter Requirements for Bettors
Alongside the higher cap, the draft outlines tougher eligibility rules for players. To participate, individuals must be at least 21 years old, have full civil capacity, and register an account with a licensed operator. All financial transactions—from placing bets to receiving winnings—would need to be processed through this account to ensure identity verification and compliance monitoring.
Betting would remain restricted to specific matches and competitions recognized by FIFA or to international electronic football (Esports) events. On average, this amounts to only four to eight eligible tournaments per year, usually lasting between 10 and 30 days. Industry observers caution that the narrow scope, combined with high licensing and business costs, makes profitability a challenge for potential operators.
Business Operations and Advertising Rules
Licensed betting firms would gain some flexibility in shaping their offerings. They could decide which categories to make available, whether based on match results, player statistics, or tournament rankings, provided their selections are aligned with regulations submitted to state authorities.
Operators would also be required to purchase official copyrights for using images or match data from FIFA or its affiliates, though not for competitions run by the Vietnam Football Federation.
The draft would also allow online betting, addressing the issue of time-zone differences for international fixtures by letting operators set opening and closing times for wagers. Meanwhile, advertising restrictions would be relaxed, permitting companies to display logos and promotional material on their websites—something currently prohibited.
Controlled Market Rollout
Given the potential risks linked to gambling, the Ministry of Finance has suggested a cautious rollout. For the first five years, only a single enterprise would be granted approval to operate international football betting. Officials argue this pilot approach is necessary to safeguard public order and minimize social harms.
The proposal comes as authorities intensify efforts against underground betting. In recent years, law enforcement has dismantled illegal football gambling networks valued at several billion dollars. Analysts believe that by offering a tightly regulated legal framework, Vietnam could redirect gambling activity into safer channels, attract private investment, generate tax revenue, and provide controlled entertainment options for citizens.
