Vietnamese authorities are preparing to introduce stricter controls on licensed betting, with proposed rules that would require bettors to disclose their full identities before placing wagers on football, horse racing, or dog racing. The measures form part of a draft decree intended to replace the existing regulatory framework introduced in 2017.
The revised decree follows consultations among government bodies and public stakeholders and reflects a broader effort to tighten oversight of betting activity while keeping limits aligned with economic and social conditions. The draft has been accepted in principle and submitted to the government without changes to current daily wagering caps.
Full Disclosure Requirements for Bettors
The proposal to expand identity verification requirements was put forward by the Ministry of Justice, which called for clearer and more detailed rules on the personal information required when opening betting accounts. Under the draft, bettors would need to provide their full name, nationality, occupation, phone number, address, and place of residence when registering, Tuoi Tre News reports.
The justice ministry stated that these requirements are necessary to ensure compliance with the 2022 Law on Anti Money Laundering. The Ministry of Finance later confirmed that it had accepted the recommendation and revised the draft decree accordingly, introducing comprehensive identity verification obligations across licensed betting platforms.
One summary of the policy direction states, “The face of gambling in Vietnam is set to undergo a major transformation as the government embarks on ensuring that those placing bets do so under strict regulation.” Once implemented, the changes would remove anonymity from regulated betting activities and allow authorities to more closely monitor participation and financial flows.
Betting Limit Increase Proposals Rejected
While there was broad agreement on identity disclosure, discussions over betting limits revealed divisions between ministries. The Ministry of Science and Technology proposed raising the daily betting cap to VND100 million (around US$3,800) per person, or alternatively setting a limit of VND10 million (about US$380) for each betting product.
The ministry argued that higher limits would help licensed operators attract higher-spending customers and better compete with illegal betting markets. It also suggested that risks could be managed through measures such as bettor identification, monitoring cash flows, and issuing warnings where necessary.
The finance ministry rejected the proposal, maintaining that licensed betting is intended to meet recreational demand rather than encourage high-value wagering. Officials pointed to Vietnam’s average annual income of approximately $5,000 per capita and said higher limits could increase the risk of excessive betting with negative social consequences. As a result, the draft decree retains the existing cap of VND10 million per person per day at a single licensed operator, a threshold the ministry said reflects income conditions and helps protect public order and social security.
Wider Range of Football Competitions Allowed
The draft decree also responds to concerns about the limited number of football competitions currently eligible for legal betting. Under existing rules, betting is largely restricted to tournaments announced by FIFA, resulting in only a small number of betting periods each year and reducing the sector’s appeal to investors.
Following feedback from multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Public Security, the revised draft expands eligibility to include major, reputable competitions with strong followings among Vietnamese fans. These include tournaments organized by UEFA, AFC, CONMEBOL, and CONCACAF.
In addition, national leagues and cup competitions from countries ranked in FIFA’s top 10 as of the previous December would also be eligible. The list includes leagues from England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina, and other leading football nations.
Pilot Program Under Executive Control
Despite the broader scope of eligible competitions, authorities plan to introduce international football betting gradually. The draft decree предусматриs a pilot program allowing a maximum of three licensed enterprises to operate in this segment.
The finance ministry noted that football betting carries heightened risks due to its nationwide reach and potential links to money laundering. For that reason, the selection of pilot operators would fall under the authority of the prime minister in accordance with the Law on Investment, rather than through an open licensing process.
Taken together, the proposed rules signal a shift toward stricter identification, unchanged betting limits, and controlled expansion of Vietnam’s regulated betting market.
