Vietnam's Ministry of Finance issued Document No. 8722/BTC-TCNH on 23 August 2023 asking the Ministry of Public Security and the people's committees of 17 provinces and cities to step up management and supervision of casino and prize-bearing electronic game businesses reserved for foreigners1.
The document was sent to the Ministry of Public Security and the local authorities of 17 provinces and cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Khanh Hoa, Dien Bien, Binh Duong, Binh Thuan, Kien Giang, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Bac Ninh, Da Nang, Lang Son, Thua Thien - Hue, Dak Lak, Quang Ninh, Lam Dong and Quang Nam1.
The ministry asked them to increase unannounced inspections of casino and prize-bearing electronic game businesses in their areas under the law, and to send the inspection results back to the Ministry of Finance for coordinated monitoring and handling1.
The ministry said periodic and unannounced inspections and press reports had shown that some casino and prize-bearing electronic game businesses had violated rules on who is allowed to enter and play, and had rented out premises, gaming machines and gaming tables for business contrary to the law1. It cited the Investment Law, Decree No. 03/2017/ND-CP on casino business, and Decree No. 121/2021/ND-CP on prize-bearing electronic game business for foreigners1.
"Kinh doanh casino và trò chơi điện tử có thưởng là ngành, nghề đầu tư kinh doanh có điều kiện, chịu sự kiểm soát chặt chẽ của cơ quan quản lý nhà nước có thẩm quyền"
The ministry did not name the businesses it said had violated the rules, and it did not say how many inspections it expects or when they should take place1.
What it means for players
The document concerns casinos and prize-bearing electronic game venues reserved for foreign players, so the immediate effect falls on foreign passport holders, including expats and visitors, rather than on Vietnamese nationals1. The violations the ministry described concern who is allowed to enter and play, and the renting out of premises, machines and tables for business contrary to the law1. Inspections carried out under the request could mean closer checks of entry documents and eligibility at the venues covered, and could affect venues that operate machines or tables under rental arrangements. The rules on who may enter Vietnamese casinos, and the games found inside them, are set out in the Vietnam gambling guide and the guide to table games at Vietnam's casinos. Venues that mix slot machines, electronic table games and stadium-style seating are covered in the guide to electronic table games and slot halls, and the wider regional picture is in the guide to casinos and integrated resorts in Asia.
What happens next
The Ministry of Public Security and the 17 provincial and city authorities are to carry out the unannounced inspections and report the results to the Ministry of Finance1. No deadline for those inspections or for the reports has been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- Tăng cường kiểm tra các casino dành cho người nước ngoài, baochinhphu.vn
