Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has proposed an expansion to its casino pilot program that allows locals to gamble at venues that were previously open only to foreign tourists.
The proposal will see two casinos added to the trial list and extend the program for a further two years.
The locals-permitted casino trial program was due to end this year, 2022 following an initial three-year period. However, the Ministry of Finance has advocated for an extension to the program until 2024. This will give the government sufficient time to evaluate the progress of the program and make a final decision on whether or not it will be permanently implemented.
At present there are only two casinos that are included in the program although only one is currently active. These are Corona Resort on Phu Quoc Island in the South and a yet to be opened resort in Van Don in the North.
The proposal will see a casino at Sun World Ba Na Hill in Da Nang City and another in Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang City in the Khanh Hoa Province added to the program. While there has been considerable investment in the Sun World resort, the company has yet to launch its casino operations while the Nha Trang City resort is already in operation.
The extension of the program means that of the nine existing casinos in Vietnam, four will now allow locals to gamble on their premises. However, with two of those casino yet to open, should the proposal be approved this will be limited to two for the time being.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.