The Hà Nội People's Court began the first-instance trial on Tuesday morning of 141 defendants in a case involving more than US$106 million in illegal gambling at King Club, on the first floor of the Pullman Hanoi Hotel at 40 Cát Linh Street1. The club was legally licensed to operate prize-winning electronic games for foreigners only, under Việt Hải Đăng Company1. Prosecutors say Vietnamese players were let in and their names disguised as foreign names on membership cards to evade detection1.
Five defendants were charged by the Supreme People's Procuracy with "organizing gambling" under Clause 2, Point b, Article 322 of the Penal Code: South Korean nationals Cho Choon Keun, Choi Jin Bok and Shim Hawn Hee, all managers of the King Club branch of Việt Hải Đăng Company's Việt Kiều Business Club; Phan Trường Giang, the branch director; and Nguyễn Đình Lâm, deputy general director of Việt Hải Đăng Company1. The remaining 136 defendants, all Vietnamese nationals, were charged with "gambling" under Article 3211. Investigators found those 136 wagered a total exceeding $106 million1.
Kim In Sung, director and legal representative of HS Development Vietnam Co. Ltd, was identified as the mastermind who directed operations and took 100 percent of the profits, and allegedly pocketed more than $9.2 million from players' losses1. He had left Việt Nam; the Ministry of Public Security issued an international wanted notice, suspended the criminal investigation against him and separated his case1. PokerScout reported he escaped to South Korea and remains wanted2.
On June 22, 2024, the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Security Agency caught 14 individuals red-handed gambling and organizing gambling through prize-winning electronic games on the first floor of the hotel, and seized nearly VNĐ13 billion (US$494,000) in cash, more than $1.1 million and other foreign currencies1. Between February 4 and June 22, 2024, the defendants allowed 145 Vietnamese nationals to gamble illegally at King Club1. PokerScout reported players competed for weekly prizes on slot machines, baccarat and roulette, and that receptionists issued membership cards with pre-assigned play numbers and fake foreign names, returned on leaving2.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Defendants | 141 (41 women, 100 men)1 |
| Charged with organizing gambling | 51 |
| Charged with gambling | 1361 |
| Total wagered by the 136 | More than $106 million1 |
| Vietnamese nationals allowed to play | 1451 |
| Oldest defendant | 73-year-old Hà Nội woman, 80 sessions, nearly VNĐ9 billion ($342,000)1 |
| Youngest defendant | 23-year-old man, three sessions, VNĐ170 million ($6,460)1 |
At the trial, 134 defendants were present; five others on bail requested to be tried in absentia and the court accepted, noting their absence would not affect the hearing1. The trial includes a Korean interpreter, more than 70 defense lawyers, 10 persons with related interests and obligations, 20 witnesses and representatives from Việt Hải Đăng Company and King Club1. The indictment cites Government Decree No. 121/2021/NĐ-CP dated December 27, 2021, which governs prize-winning electronic games for foreigners1.
"King Club, located on the first floor of the Pullman Hanoi Hotel at 40 Cát Linh Street, was legally licensed to operate prize-winning electronic games for foreigners only"
What it means for players
The case turns on a rule that runs through gambling law in Vietnam: venues licensed for prize-winning electronic games may admit foreigners and overseas Vietnamese, not Vietnamese nationals1. PokerScout reported that gambling is permitted in Vietnam for foreigners at casinos but not for Vietnamese nationals2. The defendants charged with gambling are the customers, not the operators, and all are Vietnamese nationals who, investigators said, were aware of the law prohibiting gambling2. Penalties differ by role: PokerScout reported prison terms for organizing or promoting illegal gambling can range from three months to as long as 10 years in the most severe cases, while those guilty only of participating can face heavy fines greater than their total earnings2. The indictment describes membership cards carrying fake foreign names, a detail relevant to anyone weighing how identity checks work at such venues. The wider regional picture is covered in gambling laws in Asia and offshore gambling sites.
What happens next
The trial is expected to last two weeks1. Kim In Sung remains wanted under an international notice, with his case separated for further proceedings1. No verdict or sentence has been reported.
