Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance is proposing to nearly double the entry fees or ticket prices for local residents wishing to gamble in casinos. This move aims to ensure that only those with sufficient financial resources are allowed access.
Under the proposed draft regulation, the 24-hour casino entry ticket would double in price to VND 2.5 million (€88), while the monthly pass would rise by 2.5 times to VND 50 million (€1,800).
According to the ministry, the proposal aims to allow access to casinos for Vietnamese citizens by replacing the current income verification process with a more practical financial screening process. Since 2016, Vietnam has tested a scheme that permits locals to gamble at certain casinos if they meet specific criteria. Citizens must be at least 21 years old and have a minimum monthly income of VND 10 million (€360).
But the plans have largely failed to deliver the required results. The Ministry notes that the documentation required to prove income has become a barrier for many locals who wish to gamble spontaneously. “Many cannot provide the required documents as they must be thoroughly prepared in advance,” it said.
A substitute for an income check
Interestingly, Vietnamese gamblers face no such bureaucratic obstacles at casinos abroad. The Ministry now suggests that higher entry fees could act as a suitable substitute for income checks, making the process less cumbersome while still ensuring only economically qualified individuals enter.
The draft also includes several additional regulatory measures. Authorised casinos—currently numbering nine—will be required to verify and retain customer data for a minimum of five years.
In terms of operations, casinos must be part of integrated tourism and entertainment zones with a minimum investment of €1.85 billion. Each facility must also maintain 24/7 surveillance in critical areas such as gaming floors, cash counters, and entry and exit points. Surveillance footage must be stored for 180 days and provided to authorities when requested.
Moreover, all gamblers—Vietnamese and foreigners—would be issued electronic ID cards containing personal and access-related information. The proposed measures are especially significant in the context of Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s flagship special economic zone. The island is home to Corona Resort & Casino, the only casino permitted under the government’s pilot scheme to allow local citizens to gamble.
The push for local participation continues
Launched in January 2019 with an investment of nearly VND 50 trillion (€1.8 billion), Corona allowed locals to buy daily tickets for VND 1 million ( €36) or monthly passes for VND 25 million (€900).
Despite a tourism surge post-pandemic—Phu Quoc welcomed over six million visitors in 2024, nearly 50 percent more than in 2019—the casino reported losses of over VND 300 billion in the first half of 2024, mainly due to interest costs, depreciation, and fewer Vietnamese players after the pilot programme ended on 31 December 2024.
The government is now reviewing whether to make local casino access permanent in Phu Quoc as part of a wider push ahead of APEC 2027, which Vietnam will host. Alongside the Ministry of Finance, other ministries have been tasked with evaluating infrastructure, tourism, and investment policies to support the region. The final proposals are expected to be submitted by 30 July 2025.
