The Asian Poker Tour canceled the last two days of its APT Hanoi Billions series in Vietnam on Friday 8 December 2023, amid allegations the event was being held in breach of local gambling laws1. The cancellation covered all remaining tournaments on 9 and 10 December, with players still involved or who had already paid entry fees to receive full refunds1.
The series was eight days into a scheduled 10-day run at the National Convention Center in Hanoi when the APT posted the announcement on its social media channels1. Police visited the venue on Friday looking for the owners and associates of the APT's local partner, VSOP Entertainment Company, according to people on the ground who spoke to Inside Asian Gaming; it is unclear who they spoke to or what was said, but it appears police threatened to return the following day1.
Local media reported Friday that the police visit followed a citizen's complaint sent to the Hanoi People's Committee accusing VSOP Entertainment Company of organizing Bridge and poker tournaments without full approval1. That is despite the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports having reportedly sent written permission to VSOP on 13 November agreeing to allow the event to go ahead1. IAG sources said they believed VSOP only had one of two necessary permits to run the event1.
The APT did not explain the reasons for cancellation, stating only that the decision "has not been made lightly" and is "rooted in extenuating circumstances that have arisen, ones that, despite our utmost efforts, we are unable to overcome"1.
"The safety and well-being of our players and staff are of paramount importance to us, and we must prioritize these concerns above all else."
Concerns were also raised about the event's links to online poker site Natural8, which ran online satellites to the event and was listed as an event sponsor, with signage and logos clearly visible throughout the venue1. Natural8, the Asian-based affiliate of GG Poker, is not a legal entity in Vietnam1. The APT appeared aware of concerns earlier in the week and tried to address them1:
| Day | Action taken by organizers |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Told players all remaining mixed games were canceled and only flop games were allowed to be dealt1 |
| Wednesday | Stopped accepting buy-ins using international currency1 |
| Thursday | Removed all Natural8 signage and merchandise stands from the venue, or covered logos1 |
Rumors circulated that APT staff had fled Vietnam in the hours after police first visited, but the APT confirmed to IAG that this was not the case and that staff were still on the ground as of Saturday1. IAG contacted some of those staff directly, who confirmed they were safe1. Others told IAG that one reason the series was suddenly canceled was that the APT could not guarantee the safety of its staff and players if the series had continued1.
What it means for players
The cancellation affected anyone still registered in the remaining events on 9 and 10 December, and the APT said players still involved or who had already paid entry fees would receive full refunds1. The series had already been altered in the days before: mixed games were canceled and only flop games dealt from Tuesday, and buy-ins in international currency stopped being accepted from Wednesday1. For players weighing future events in Vietnam, the episode turns on permits: the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports had reportedly given written permission to VSOP on 13 November, yet IAG sources believed VSOP held only one of two necessary permits1. The status of Natural8 as a sponsor, and its lack of legal entity status in Vietnam, was among the concerns raised1. Background on how tournaments are structured and regulated sits in our guides to poker tournaments in Vietnam, how poker tournaments work and what counts as gambling under Asian law.
What happens next
No further steps have been reported. It is not known whether the Hanoi authorities will take action against VSOP Entertainment Company or the APT, whether the missing permit issue will be resolved, or whether the APT will return to Vietnam. The APT has not announced replacement dates for the canceled tournaments1.
