Vietnam casino operators are asking the government to let locals gamble to make up for international tourism lost to Covid-19 flight restrictions.
According to VN Express, with revenues plummeting due to the lack of foreign visitors, a group of casino owners in Quang Nam and Ba Ria-Vung Tau say domestic demand could compensate in part for the loss.
At present only two casinos, in Phu Quoc and Van Don, now allow Vietnamese players as part of a three-year pilot program. Vietnamese who want to gamble in a casino must be over 21 years of age, earn a minimum of VND10 million (US$430) a month, and have no criminal record. They must pay an entry fee of VND1 million ($43) per day or VND25 million ($1,000) per month in order to play.
In 2019, at Casino Corona in Phu Quoc, locals accounted for 45 percent of gamblers.
In recent years, several new foreigners-only casinos have opened in Vietnam, including Hoiana and the Grand Ho Tram Strip.
