Vietnam issues Decree 86/2026/ND-CP amending foreigner electronic games with prizes rules

Vietnam's government issued Decree No. 86/2026/ND-CP on March 27, 2026, amending and supplementing several articles of Decree No. 121/2021/ND-CP dated December 27, 2021 on the business of prize-winning electronic games for foreigners¹. The decree was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and takes effect on May 15, 2026¹.

The amended rules cover how operators of electronic gaming venues for foreigners open, suspend and close, and who may work in them. At least 15 days before opening, an enterprise must notify the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Finance, the provincial police and the provincial tax authority; the same 15-day notice applies before a voluntary suspension². Managers and operators must hold at least a bachelor's degree and have at least 3 years of experience managing and operating prize-winning electronic games². Operators must also issue internal regulations on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing of weapons of mass destruction².

On capital and premises, an enterprise must have both charter capital and equity of at least VND 500 billion, and must be profitable in the financial year immediately preceding its application; each additional business eligibility certificate requires a further VND 500 billion above the minimum². The venue must include tourist accommodation rated 5 stars by a competent state authority, covering hotels excluding floating hotels, tourist villas and tourist apartments². The Ministry of Finance has 90 days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier to consider granting a business eligibility certificate, and 10 working days to request supplements where a dossier is incomplete².

The decree adds dispute settlement rules. An enterprise must develop regulations to handle disputes between players and the enterprise arising during play, post them publicly at the facility or distribute leaflets, and either party may go to court or choose arbitration where mediation does not happen or the outcome is not accepted². Within 30 days, an enterprise must re-export or destroy gaming machines, tokens and devices in cases including voluntary termination, dissolution, bankruptcy, revoked certificates, machines at the end of their manufacturer-specified lifespan, or expiry of the permitted business duration².

What it means for players

The decree governs venues offering prize-winning electronic games to foreigners, the category that includes slot machines and electronic gaming clubs in Vietnam. For foreign visitors and expats, the practical change is procedural rather than a change to who may play: the amendments set notice periods, staffing standards, capital thresholds and dispute-handling rules for the operators of those venues. The new dispute settlement requirement gives players a stated route to raise complaints at the facility, with court or arbitration available if mediation fails or the outcome is rejected². The text does not change the entry rules for players, and no change to player eligibility or game types has been reported.

What happens next

The decree takes effect on May 15, 2026¹. Operators opening or suspending business must give at least 15 days' written notice to the named authorities². Enterprises seeking a business eligibility certificate face a 90-day consideration period by the Ministry of Finance once a complete and valid dossier is received².