On 4 November 2024, the Government issued Decree 145/2024/ND-CP, amending Clause 2 Article 12 of Decree 03/2017/ND-CP in relation to the extension of pilot scheme allowing Vietnamese citizens in Vietnam (“local Vietnamese“) to play at casinos.
Below are brief updates regarding the extension of the pilot scheme allowing local Vietnamese to enter the casinos.
- Extension of pilot scheme for local Vietnamese entry into casinos
Local Vietnamese would be permitted to enter specific casinos approved by the competent authorities on a three-year trial period as follows:
- For the first casino-operating enterprises approved by the competent authorities, the piloting scheme will be extended until 31 December 2024.
- For any other casino-operating enterprises, the piloting scheme will last for three years from the date of receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility for Casino Business.
Upon the conclusion of the pilot scheme outlined above, casino-operating enterprises must suspend access for local Vietnamese until the Government issues a decree determining whether the program will be terminated or extended.
- Review and evaluation by the Government Authority
The Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the State Bank of Vietnam, and the local People’s Committees in areas hosting the pilot casinos, will carry out a thorough review and evaluation of the piloting scheme.
The timeframe for the review and evaluation of the piloting scheme is as follows:
- For the first casino-operating enterprises approved to allow local Vietnamese to enter into casinos: by 30 November 2024
- For other approved casinos: within 60 days from the completion of the pilot phase
Following these evaluations, the Government will determine whether to terminate or extend the trial. If no decision is made by the end of the trial period, the casinos will be required to temporarily suspend local Vietnamese’ access to casinos.
Our Assessment
Since 2016, the Politburo has approved two pilot projects – Phu Quoc (Kien Giang) and Van Don (Quang Ninh) – allowing local Vietnamese to enter casinos on a trial basis. However, to date, only the Phu Quoc casino has begun operations, starting in 2019. Under the amended Decree, the Politburo has approved an extension of the trial period for the Phu Quoc project until the end of 2024. Meanwhile, the Van Don casino will operate under a three-year trial period, to begin once it commences operations. Upon the conclusion of the pilot phase, all involved enterprises would be required to suspend access for local Vietnamese until new policies are issued by the Government.
The extension of pilot scheme enables the enterprises to have more time to better manage their operations and develop appropriate strategies. This pilot program aims to implement a mechanism that prioritises local Vietnamese over foreign nationals at casinos. This shift takes into account specific factors such as personal background, age, financial capacity, and legal eligibility of the local Vietnamese to be allowed to enter the casinos.
The full Vietnamese text of amended Decree can be found here
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