Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security (Bo Cong an) has proposed that the country issue unified guidance on how online gambling conduct is determined, and draft a new resolution to replace Resolution 01/2010, according to a report published on the government's policy portal on June 26, 20261.
The ministry said the 2015 Penal Code, amended in 2017, already sets out the crimes of gambling under Article 321 and organizing gambling or acting as a gambling broker under Article 322, giving a legal basis for enforcement1. It said using the internet, computer networks, telecommunications networks or electronic means to commit an offense is an aggravating circumstance for both offenses1.
The ministry said enforcement has produced results, with large gambling and football betting rings broken up and organizers prosecuted1. It said practical application still faces difficulties, including a lack of specific guidance on determining "money used for gambling," "illegal profit," and how to handle disguised forms of online betting1.
"Bộ Công an đề xuất cần tiếp tục hoàn thiện hệ thống pháp luật và các văn bản hướng dẫn thi hành, đặc biệt là cần sớm ban hành hướng dẫn thống nhất về việc xác định hành vi đánh bạc trên không gian mạng"
The ministry proposed unified guidance covering how online gambling conduct is identified, how money used for gambling is calculated, and how electronic assets, virtual currency and electronic evidence are handled1. It also called for research on adding provisions to the Criminal Procedure Code on freezing measures, digital assets, electronic money and a mechanism for handling new types of assets arising in the digital economy1. It said responsibilities should be set out clearly for credit institutions, telecommunications companies and cross-border platforms to tighten management of online transactions1.
The ministry said a resolution guiding the application of Article 321 and Article 322 should be drafted urgently to replace and supplement Resolution 01/2010, to standardize how money involved in gambling is calculated1. It also called for public information campaigns, including online and aimed at young people, students and pupils, to limit participation in online betting and disguised reward games1.
What it means for players
The proposal concerns how Vietnamese authorities define and prosecute online gambling, not a change to what is legal. Article 321 covers gambling and Article 322 covers organizing gambling or acting as a broker, and using the internet or electronic means is treated as an aggravating factor under both1. The ministry said specific guidance is still missing on what counts as "money used for gambling" and "illegal profit," and on disguised online betting1. Until unified guidance is issued, those terms remain defined by existing law and practice rather than a single national standard. The ministry linked gambling to other crimes including loan sharking, money laundering, fraud and extortion1. It also proposed clearer coordination duties for banks, telecom firms and cross-border platforms over online transactions1. No enforcement figures, case numbers or penalties were given in the report1.
What happens next
The ministry proposed that unified guidance be issued early and that a new resolution replacing Resolution 01/2010 be drafted urgently1. It also proposed research on Criminal Procedure Code provisions for freezing digital assets and electronic money1. No timeline, draft text or date for adoption has been reported1.
For the legal position across the region, see Gambling Laws in Asia: What Is Legal in 12 Jurisdictions and Online Gambling in Asia: The Law for Players in 12 Jurisdictions. Country-specific rules are covered in Can I Gamble in Vietnam?, and enforcement against players is set out in Have Players Been Arrested for Online Gambling in Asia? Cases by Jurisdiction.
Sources1 sources
- Cần sớm ban hành hướng dẫn thống nhất việc xác định hành vi đánh bạc trên không gian mạng, xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn
