Operator News
Vietnam – Vietnam to add two more casinos to local player pilot
By Phil - 7 March 2022
Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance wants to add two more casinos; those in Da Nang City and Khanh Hoa Province to its pilot scheme that allows locals to place bets. It is also looking at extending the trial period by two more years.
Currently only Corona Resort & Casino in Phú Quốc, is involved in the scheme with the other casino in Van Don not open yet. According to VietnamNet, the onset of the pandemic has hampered the success of the pilot scheme meaning the government will need longer to collect data. Vietnamese people wanting to gamble must be over 21 and be being paid at least VND10m a month (US$431).
The Grand Ho Tram Strip and Hoiana remain out the scheme.
The pilot scheme was to be reviewed in 2022, but the effects of the pandemic on gaming and tourism have convinced the Ministry that an extension until 2024 would provide better data to analyse The suggestion must be approved by the country’s prime minister.
In March, casino companies suggested to government that expanded the pilot to allow locals to gamble in casinos in Quang Nam and Ba Ria-Vung Tau would help them recovering from the loss in revenues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
An analyst from Dezan Shira & Associates said: “The Government’s main concern would be not to expose the local population to potential social risks from gambling and so I do not think there will be a significant shift in government policy in the near term. There are these pilot programs, but that gives us the view it’s something the Government is experimenting with. I think it’s highly unlikely to be opened up to domestic big spenders any time soon.”
