Part of a three-year trial
The speculation is over. The government of Vietnam has identified the first casino that will be allowed to permit locals to gamble.
The Hanoi Times reports that the country’s Ministry of Planning and Investment has named the as-yet unfinished Bai Dai integrated resort project on Phu Quoc Island as the first IR to take part in a three-year trial of locals betting.
In December, lawmakers approved a decree calling for two casinos to take participate in the trial. According to CalvinAyre.com, the other project is under development in Quang Ninh Province.
At the same time, the investor of the Grand Ho Tram Strip resort and casino in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province recently put forward a proposal to allow locals to play at its casino.
As part of the trial, Vietnamese residents must pay a daily casino entry fee of VND1 million (US$44) or buy a monthly pass for VND25 million (US$1,095). Those gamblers would also have to prove they are over the age of 21 and have a monthly income of at least VND10 million (US$38).
Earlier this month, Vietnam also OK’d new sports betting regulations. According to CDC Gaming Reports, the so-called Law on Sports and Physical Training permits locals to now bet on government-approved sports events like some international football games and horse and greyhound races. However, there are currently no betting companies authorized to provide betting services in the country, and the legislation was too late to take advantage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
