Key Moments:
- Vietnam has advanced plans to allow certain citizens to gamble at two casino resorts as part of a five-year pilot program.
- The Grand Ho Tram and a Sun Group project in Van Don have been selected for this initiative, pending compliance with financial and operational criteria.
- Proposals feature stricter entry procedures, electronic ID tracking, and mandatory long-term surveillance for all licensed casinos.
Pilot Project Targets Two Major Casinos
Vietnam is preparing to open the doors of two casino resorts to local players through a new pilot scheme, following recommendations from the Ministry of Finance to strengthen regulations and modernize casino oversight. The initiative aims to introduce increased entry fees and updated controls across the industry.
Lao Dong has reported that, according to a draft resolution, Vietnamese citizens who fulfill specific financial criteria will be permitted to gamble at The Grand Ho Tram resort in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, as well as at a planned property in Van Don, Quang Ninh. This project is set to operate for five years, granting access to a historically foreign-only market segment.
Background and Comparison to Previous Pilots
The Grand Ho Tram resort, located southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, currently serves only foreign guests. The Van Don development, a $2 billion integrated resort led by Sun Group, is scheduled for full opening by 2032. Although Sun Group had previously alluded to local player access, this marks the first official inclusion in a state-sanctioned proposal.
This plan marks just the second occasion on which Vietnamese citizens may legally engage in domestic casino gaming. The most recent pilot, which commenced in 2019 at Phu Quoc’s Corona Resort & Casino, ended in January without renewal. A possible screening system for Vietnamese gamblers has been discussed, with regulations requiring players to be over 21 and earn at least VND 10 million (€360) per month. Documentation hurdles have deterred many applicants, whereas those traveling abroad face no such requirements. Officials believe that increasing entry costs can act as a proxy for verifying financial eligibility.
Compliance Measures and Casino Oversight
The draft includes a set of operational requirements for industry compliance. All licensed casinos – currently nine in Vietnam – would be obligated to retain customer records for no less than five years. Only integrated resorts with a minimum investment of €1.85 billion ($2 billion) may admit local players.
Facilities will be required to implement continuous, around-the-clock video surveillance on key areas including gaming floors, cash counters, and entry points. The resulting footage must be stored for 180 days and made accessible to regulatory authorities on demand. In addition, all players, both local and foreign, must use electronic identification cards linking their personal data and gaming activity, a measure intended to enhance transparency and reduce fraud.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Resort Eligibility | Minimum €1.85 billion ($2 billion) investment, integrated format |
| Data Storage | Customer information kept for at least 5 years |
| Surveillance | 24/7 monitoring in key areas; footage kept for 180 days |
| Entry Requirement | Electronic ID linked to personal and gaming history for all players |
Looking Ahead: Sector Reforms and Next Steps
The push for greater oversight and pilot expansion arrives as Phu Quoc, home to the Corona Resort & Casino, stands as an influential model. Although the previous local-access scheme has ended, lessons from its operation may guide broader application throughout Vietnam.
The Ministry of Finance’s proposals remain in draft status at this time, and no official timeline for the pilot’s launch has been disclosed. However, as investment in integrated resorts continues and demand from local players rises, Vietnamese authorities appear poised to reshape casino accessibility under carefully managed conditions.
- Author
Daniel Williams
