The Hà Nội People's Court on Wednesday sentenced 141 defendants over a gambling ring at the Pullman Hà Nội Hotel, including former Vice Chairman of the Phú Thọ Provincial People's Committee Hồ Đại Dũng, who received three years and six months in prison1. The ruling followed 16 days of trial and deliberation1.
Five defendants were convicted of "organizing gambling" under Article 322 of the Penal Code1. Three of them are Republic of Korea nationals who worked as casino managers: Cho Choon Keun (four years), Choi Jin Bok (three years and six months) and Shim Hawn Hee (two years)1. Two Vietnamese nationals were also convicted in that group: Phan Trường Giang, Director of the Việt Kiều Business Club Branch (King Club) under Việt Hải Đăng Company, sentenced to 30 months, and Nguyễn Đình Lâm, the company's Deputy General Director, who received a three-year suspended sentence1.
The remaining 136 defendants were found guilty of "gambling" under Article 321, with penalties ranging from fines of VNĐ50 million to VNĐ100 million (US$1,900 to 3,800) to prison terms between nine months (suspended) and four years and six months1.
| Conviction | Number of defendants | Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| "Organising gambling", Article 322 | 5 | Prison terms of two to four years; one three-year suspended sentence |
| "Gambling", Article 321 | 136 | Fines of VNĐ50 million to VNĐ100 million, or nine months (suspended) to four years and six months |
The court found that King Club, inside the Pullman Hà Nội Hotel and operated by Việt Hải Đăng Investment Entertainment Services Co Ltd, was "licensed to provide prize-winning electronic games for foreigners only"1. Việt Hải Đăng contracted the club's management to HS Co Ltd, led by Korean national Kim In Sung, who retained all profits while paying a monthly $100,000 operational fee and $60,000 business transfer fee1. Kim directed the casino managers and the two Vietnamese executives to organize illegal gambling sessions for Vietnamese nationals1. Between February 4 and June 22, 2024, the group hosted games for 145 Vietnamese players, with total wagers exceeding $106 million, and Kim personally gained more than $9.2 million1.
The court described the case as "serious", citing its scale, the number of participants and the involvement of officials, civil servants, educators, healthcare workers, artists, lawyers and businesspeople1.
"The Hà Nội People's Court on Wednesday sentenced former Vice Chairman of the Phú Thọ Provincial People's Committee Hồ Đại Dũng to three years and six months in prison for his involvement in a large-scale gambling ring at the Pullman Hà Nội Hotel."
What it means for players
The case turns on who was allowed to play. The King Club held a license for prize-winning electronic games for foreigners only, and the convictions followed from sessions organized for Vietnamese nationals1. For foreign visitors and expats, that distinction is the one the court enforced: the license covered them, and the offense was extending play to Vietnamese citizens1.
The 136 people convicted of "gambling" under Article 321 were players, not organizers, and their penalties ranged from fines of VNĐ50 million to VNĐ100 million to prison terms of up to four years and six months1. The court noted that those involved included officials, civil servants, educators, healthcare workers, artists, lawyers and businesspeople1. General rules on what gambling is legal in the country are set out in our guide to gambling laws in Asia and in Can I Gamble in Vietnam?. The three jailed managers were Korean nationals, and the rules that apply to Korean citizens gambling abroad are covered in Can I Gamble in South Korea?.
What happens next
The report describes a first-instance verdict, so the outcome is open to appeal under Vietnamese procedure. No appeal, deadline or further hearing has been reported1.
