In a move that could signal a softening of Vietnam’s longstanding opposition to gambling by its citizens, lawmakers debating new regulations for the industry are discussing a plan to allow locals to play in a casino proposed for a special economic zone near popular Halong Bay.
The Communist Party’s decision-making Politburo is reported to favor what is described as a pilot project that would be limited to citizens who meet certain income requirements and “have a record of good conduct”.
The National Assembly also is discussing legalizing sports betting, which authorities know is heavily patronized by Vietnamese through underground web sites and other networks.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited the province of Quang Ninh earlier this month in connection with a government plan to develop a mixed-use resort with gambling in the 1,800-hectare Van Don Economic Zone. Quang Ninh is about 160 kilometers east of Hanoi and is home to a casino in Mong Cai that caters mostly to Chinese. The zone adjoins Halong Bay, which attracts millions of foreign and domestic tourists a year. Upscale hotels in the area also feature casinos which, like Mong Cai’s, are restricted by law to foreign passport holders.
Finance Minister Dinh Tien Dung has spoken in favor of continuing the ban, and the government recently reaffirmed it in a decree taking effect October 1 that spells out fines up to 200 million dong (US$9,500) for a casino operator and up to 100 million dong for individual violators.
At the same time, officials are aware that thousands of the country’s citizens cross into Cambodia every day to patronize a variety of gambling halls along the border, and at NagaWorld’s monopoly casino in Phnom Penh it’s estimated that Vietnamese generate 40% of gaming revenues.
Locals should be allowed to gamble in casinos in Vietnam to “prevent the outflow of foreign currency,” and there is a pressing need to regulate that, said Deputy Assembly Speaker Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, who is a member of the Politburo. “If locals are barred from gambling at home, they will just find other avenues in Cambodia, Macau, or Hong Kong.”
It’s not known when lawmakers will conclude their review of the draft regulations or what the outcome will be.
Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu has said government needs to study the experiences of other countries, and in line with that Dinh’s predecessor, Vuong Dinh Hue, traveled to Singapore earlier this year to meet with various stakeholders and tour a racetrack and other gambling sites. Reportedly, he came away impressed.
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