Vietnam's Path to Gambling Reform: What's Really Happening Behind the Scenes

Vietnam is stirring things up in the gambling world, and it’s about time to dive into what this all means. The country has been playing it cautious for years, keeping casinos strictly for foreign tourists while locals watch from the sidelines. But things are changing, and the government is now seriously considering opening casino doors to Vietnamese citizens, though there are still substantial conditions attached.

The Big Picture: Vietnam’s Gambling Evolution

Vietnam’s journey in reshaping its gambling landscape has picked up momentum. The Ministry of Finance is reportedly working on new rules to allow Vietnamese citizens to gamble in select casinos. These are not just speculative rumors, but developing proposals that could genuinely transform how gambling operates in the country.

A draft resolution shines a spotlight on two major locations: Van Don in Quang Ninh Province and Ho Tram, each representing a different stage of Vietnam’s casino ambitions. Van Don is a gigantic project from Sun Group worth around $2 billion and is set to begin its first phase in 2027, including 214 casino tables and more than 2,000 slot machines. Ho Tram, which has been part of Vietnam’s gambling scene since 2013, is lined up to be the second legal venue welcoming Vietnamese players. This is not only a monumental shift for participants, but it marks a broader opening of regulated gambling in Vietnam.

This shift is set in the context of a five-year pilot program, giving the government an extended window to truly assess how these changes will play out, both socially and economically. The flexibility of a pilot approach allows Vietnam to make adjustments and observe outcomes in real-time rather than risk the consequences of a sweeping permanent policy.

The Money Talk: What It Takes to Get In

There’s no denying the government is not just flinging open the casino doors to everyone. Under the latest proposals, Vietnamese citizens would need to fork out significantly increased entry fees. A 24-hour casino pass is set at VND 2.5 million (about $100), while a monthly access card comes to VND 50 million (around $2,000). This marks a steep jump compared to previous trials, where a day pass was only VND 1 million ($4), and proof of VND 10 million (about $400) monthly income was required.

The shift towards higher entry fees is rooted in the aim to simplify the entire process. Rather than bogging down participants in paperwork and bank statements, the government intends for the entry price itself to act as a barrier, inspired by international norms, especially Singapore. The move to use payment as a proxy for financial ability is designed to streamline administration and keep the system straightforward for both regulators and gamblers.

Notably, this approach also echoes broader global trends, where casino access is closely linked to economic means instead of bureaucratic scrutiny. Vietnamese citizens would get easier access, but only if they’re willing and able to pay for it.

Learning from Past Experiments

Vietnam is far from a newcomer in experimenting with local casino access. Since 2016, the country has dabbled with various pilot initiatives, most notably at Corona Resort in Phu Quoc and the unfinished Van Don project. The Corona pilot ran from 2019 to the end of 2024, but it largely failed to generate the enthusiasm and revenue officials had hoped for. The COVID-19 pandemic was a major setback, but underlying issues like social attitudes and regulatory uncertainty contributed to the underwhelming outcome.

Ultimately, disappointing performance led to the suspension of this local entry program. This experience has provided valuable lessons for policymakers, teaching them that successful gambling regulation in Vietnam requires a nuanced approach, sensitive to local sentiments and economic realities.

Tim Nguyen, director of Fortuna Investments, argues that these revived and reimagined pilot programs could position Vietnam for commercial gaming success. His perspective highlights the government’s willingness to listen, adapt, and adjust its policies, rather than rigidly sticking to formulas that haven’t delivered.

How Vietnam Compares to Its Neighbors

Vietnam’s move towards liberalization stands in stark contrast or harmony with other Southeast Asian nations, depending on the lens. The region is a patchwork of differing policies, restrictions, and attitudes toward gambling.

Thailand’s Strict Approach

In Thailand, casino legislation has come, but with a slew of tightly controlled entry requirements. Thai citizens must show proof of substantial wealth, with at least 50 million baht ($1.5 million) held in deposits over six months and pay a $150 entry fee. Critics contend that such requirements make Thai casinos virtually closed to most locals, operating in practice much like the foreigner-only models.

Cambodia’s Tourist-Only Model

Cambodia, just next door, boasts over a hundred casinos—yet these remain almost entirely for tourists. Locals are banned on paper, but underground gambling and secretive access behind closed doors continue to be an open secret. Corruption and regulatory evasion muddy the waters, making full prohibition much less effective than it seems.

Singapore’s Success Story

Singapore’s two major casinos, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, operate under stringent supervision. The city-state is renowned for its careful balance between profit and public health. Its low rates of gambling addiction are a testament to rigorous social safeguards and a culture of responsible gaming. Singapore’s entry levy model has become a template for Vietnam and other regional governments to aspire to.

The Gambling Landscape Across Asia

Gambling across Asia presents a worrying picture when it comes to addiction and harms. Studies reveal that problem gambling rates in Asian communities may be two to four times higher than in Western populations. Many factors contribute: shame culture, secrecy, and limited support networks can exacerbate the impact of compulsive gambling.

Vietnam’s statistics also paint a sobering reality. Among younger adults, over half reported some form of gambling in the previous six months, and rates of problem gambling run stubbornly high. Macau, the gambling hot spot of Asia, has seen a notable spike in registered gambling addicts, with numbers rising sharply in recent years and most problem gamblers aged in their early forties.

Compulsive and risky gambling behaviors are not just a Vietnamese issue—they stretch across China, South Korea, Japan, and beyond. Governments everywhere are challenged to balance economic gain with growing public health concerns.

Vietnam’s Online Gaming Crackdown

On top of changes to land-based casinos, Vietnam is waging a crackdown on online gaming. New rules ban all casino-style and card-based digital games; existing operators must register users with verified Vietnamese phone numbers. For minors, strict limits on time spent gaming are now enforced.

This two-track strategy—loosening up physical casino access and tightening up online gambling—illustrates Vietnam’s desire to keep control over the gaming industry while still exploring new sources of revenue. Digital gambling and crypto gambling is seen as harder to regulate and potentially riskier, prompting stronger action.

The Economic Stakes

The numbers behind the gambling industry in Vietnam show just why regulation is such a hot topic. Revenue projections put the market at $1.66 billion in 2025, growing to $2.42 billion just four years later. Meanwhile, sports betting alone is expected to more than double in less than a decade. These economic stakes highlight why the government is taking a gradual, pilot-based approach rather than risking a free-for-all.

If things are handled right, Vietnam could become a powerful regional player in legal gambling. If not, it could face increased underground gambling, with all the potential harms that come with an unregulated market.

The most challenging side of gambling is its human impact. Asian communities tend to face higher rates of gambling-related harm than their Western counterparts. This is often magnified by social stigma and shame, which discourage many from seeking help. In Vietnamese culture, those suffering from addiction are more likely to hide their struggles than ask for support, making the problem harder to tackle.

Vietnamese gamblers lean toward games offering immediate gratification, like scratch cards and casino gaming, rather than slower-paced forms like sports betting. This pattern can push individuals toward higher-risk behavior and dependency more quickly. Regulators know they have to be smart—not just strict—if they want to keep gambling harms in check.

Regional Regulatory Responses

Regulators throughout Southeast Asia are testing all kinds of responses to gambling’s challenges. In the Philippines, the government-run PAGCOR operates a unique dual role—both regulating and running casinos, with a sharp focus on responsible gaming. Cambodia has made dramatic headlines by banning all online gambling after a spate of criminal controversies.

Singapore’s ongoing efforts to monitor and refine its safeguards serve as a reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Participation rates have declined markedly in recent years among Singaporeans, yet problem gambling remains a stubborn 1 percent. The lesson is clear: even the most successful models must stay agile and attentive to emerging risks.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for Vietnam

Vietnam now stands at a pivotal crossroads for its gambling industry. By employing practical entry fees instead of demanding proof of income, the country is making casino access easier for those willing to pay, while betting on simplicity and self-regulation to keep risks under control. Critics fear, though, that high fees could push gambling further underground and diminish the benefits of a regulated system.

Whether Vietnam’s reforms succeed will depend on responsible gambling policies, solid regulatory enforcement, and careful adaptation to ongoing challenges. Policymakers are scrutinizing both domestic experience and international lessons; their willingness to adapt is evident from continuous pilot programs and versatile regulations.

Industry figures like Tim Nguyen view Vietnam’s evolving approach as evidence of a more mature stance toward gambling policy. The country is gradually stepping away from “yes-or-no” thinking and embracing frameworks that strive for both economic growth and social well-being.

Ultimately, with substantial stakes at play—not only financial, but social and health-related—Vietnam will need to chart a careful path if it wants to become a leader in the region’s responsible gambling reform. The coming years will determine if these calculated reforms result in a sustainable, safe, and economically productive industry, or if further change will be needed down the road.