Vietnam to Allow Domestic Gambling in Pilot Program

The Vietnamese administration has authorized a new experimental program spanning three years, enabling Vietnamese residents to engage in gambling at designated land-based gambling establishments. This initiative will commence on March 15th and will be accessible to individuals aged 21 and older who earn a minimum monthly income of 10 million Vietnamese dong. Casinos seeking to participate in this pilot program must be integrated into entertainment and hotel complex ventures, requiring a minimum investment capital of $2 billion, with half of this amount already disbursed, and must fulfill other specified criteria. Following a three-year period, the government will evaluate the program and determine whether to extend it. At present, the number of casinos operational in Vietnam is less than 10, and these venues are exclusively open to foreign nationals.