Vietnam Advances Overhaul of Casino Regulations as Ministry of Finance Issues New Impact Assessment

Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has issued an impact assessment for a draft decree intended to replace Decree 03/2017 on casino operations, a move that local outlet VietnamNet reports is aimed at clearing long-standing regulatory hurdles and bringing the legal framework into alignment with current national laws. The release comes shortly after two landmark decisions: the government’s approval of permanent locals gaming at Phu Quoc’s Corona Resort & Casino and the authorisation granted to The Grand Ho Tram to welcome Vietnamese citizens under a newly established five-year pilot program.

The draft decree sets out updated provisions governing entry for Vietnamese citizens aged 21 and above, while also reshaping administrative procedures to reduce inefficiencies. The established eligibility rules would remain in place, requiring players to hold full civil act capacity, demonstrate sufficient financial capability, purchase an entry ticket, and avoid being listed on any family-requested exclusion or self-exclusion registers. Patrons would continue to use Vietnamese Dong (VND) to buy chips, with unused gaming chips eligible for refund. According to the ministry, “these conditions have proven effective in regulating local participation without major enforcement issues.” Yet officials acknowledged that the financial-proof requirement has emerged as a recurring obstacle, frequently forcing customers to compile several documents and imposing additional paperwork on casino operators.

In its assessment of the current regulatory framework, the ministry emphasised that Vietnam’s casino oversight remains broad in scope — stretching across licensing, the importation and tracking of gaming equipment, public-security controls, and foreign-exchange management. Despite this comprehensive system, authorities indicated that several aspects of the existing decree require revision or expansion to reflect new policy directions and to improve regulatory performance. The ministry explained that the proposed decree is intended to “address practical needs and enhance policy coherence as the market continues to develop.”

The report notes that Vietnam presently hosts nine operational casinos, consisting of six small-scale venues and three major integrated resorts, with two more projects underway. Key properties are situated in Ho Tram, Hoi An, and Phu Quoc. Between 2017 and 2022, the national casino sector generated VND22.89 trillion (approximately $950 million) in revenue and contributed VND11.81 trillion (around $490 million) to the state budget, although the industry experienced a significant slump from 2019 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phu Quoc’s Corona Resort & Casino served as the test site for a pilot locals-gaming scheme from 2019 to 2024. Over the trial period, Vietnamese citizens represented 52 percent of total visitation but were responsible for 88 percent of gaming revenue, with most players being men between the ages of 30 and 49. The new five-year pilot also extends to the planned $2 billion Van Don Integrated Casino & Tourism Complex, envisioned for a special economic zone (SEZ) in Quang Ninh Province along Vietnam’s northeastern coast. As detailed in the developer’s latest update, the resort is expected to reach full operational status by 2032.

By fLEXI tEAM