Vietnam casinos to accept digital IDs
The change also tightens hiring rules for gaming operators, including a ban on employees with certain criminal records.
Vietnam.- Casinos and gambling venues in Vietnam will be allowed to verify patrons’ identities using VNeID, the country’s national digital identification app, from November 15. The revised rules apply to full-scale casinos, electronic gaming businesses serving foreign visitors and authorised betting operators.
VNeID offers a faster way to verify customer details, but the use of physical identity documents will still be permitted. Businesses must still record all customer information in a paper or digital register and will remain responsible for preventing ineligible individuals from entering venues or gambling.
Alongside patron verification, the updated regulations introduce new hiring guidelines for the gaming industry. Operators are now prohibited from employing individuals with unexpunged criminal records for offences such as illegal gambling, organising unlawful gambling operations, providing premises for illegal gaming, or loan-sharking.
Earlier operational rules remain in place, including the requirement that venues serving foreign tourists source at least 30 per cent of their security staff from accredited service providers.
Gambling in Vietnam remains heavily restricted for local citizens. Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc Island holds permanent permission to admit eligible Vietnamese players, while The Grand Ho Tram operates under a temporary five-year pilot programme. A similar five-year pilot has been approved for the Van Don casino project in Quang Ninh province, which will begin once its operating license is issued and development is complete.
