Vietnam is tuning up its betting regulation

The Asian country is finalising legislation to regulate wagering on international football matches as well as horse and dog racing.

Vietnam.- Vietnam is currently finalising legislation that will regulate wagering on international football matches as well as horse and dog racing with a draft decree now scheduled to be introduced to the government by August 15.

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has called on the Ministry of Finance to incorporate recommendations previously made by the Standing Committee of the country’s National Assembly into the new rules by next week’s deadline.

As per these new regulations, betting operators will be required to apply for five-year licenses to offer wagering on races and non-domestic football games and will not be permitted to market their services using pictures or results from such events. Authorisation to operate in the country will be granted only to companies that qualify under the nation’s Law of Investment and Law of Bidding with firms required to have at least five years of experience in order to “distribute gambling tickets” via telephone and “other means of telecommunication.” Betting shops will be forced to be located at least 1,640 feet from schools or public parks at which children congregate with their hours of operation to be set by the government.

Under draft regulations “there are no regulations for Internet ticket distribution.” The language of the draft suggests that the pooling of liquidity with operators located in other nations is not on the cards.

Hue asked that the proposed legislation clearly define the responsibilities of the Ministry Of Culture, Sports And Tourism, especially in the area of international football gambling management, whilst the recommendations contained no new information on suggested plans that would allow Vietnamese casinos to admit local players.