Vietnam may allow locals to gamble at two planned casinos

Vietnamese authorities are analysing the possibility of allowing two planned casinos to cater to economically qualified locals.

Vietnam.- The Ministry of Finance has proposed expanding the scheme that allows qualifying Vietnamese citizens to gamble to cover two future casinos. Currently, under a scheme that last year was extended by the Ministry of Finance until 2024, locals may only gamble at two existing casinos in the country.

Vietnamese citizens are only permitted to enter one casino on the southern island of Phu Quoc and one in Van Don, in the northern province of Quang Ninh. However the ministry has now suggested that the planned casinos in Da Nang and on Nha Trang City’s Hon Tre island be added to the scheme.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance had previously said these two projects could potentially foster tourism growth.

Last March, casino operators asked the government to expand Vietnamese citizens’ access to casinos in major tourist destinations such as Quang Nam and Ba Ria-Vung Tau to help casinos face the loss of revenue from tourists due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, authorities rejected the petition.