Vietnam is moving forward with a plan to replace complex income verification rules with a daily or monthly casino entry fee for Vietnamese citizens, signaling a broader shift toward revenue-driven regulatory modernization in the country’s casino sector.
Under a new proposal released by the Ministry of Finance, citizens would pay VND 2.5 million (~US $95) per day or VND 50 million (~US $2,000) per month to access participating casino venues. This fee would replace the current requirement that individuals prove a monthly income of at least VND 10 million (US $395)—a rule seen as exclusionary and difficult to enforce.
The proposal is part of a revamped pilot program first launched in 2019, which initially allowed locals to enter the Corona Resort casino in Phu Quoc under strict eligibility criteria. The pilot is expected to extend through 2027 and may be expanded to include new sites like Van Don Special Economic Zone, home to multi-billion-dollar integrated resort plans.
The new framework is designed to be simpler to implement, easier to audit, and more attractive to both domestic players and foreign investors. It aligns with Vietnam’s broader economic goals to capture more tourism revenue, enhance fiscal transparency, and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into licensed gaming projects.
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Key compliance upgrades are also on the table:
- All casinos must implement 24/7 video surveillance, with footage retention of at least 180 days.
- A mandatory player ID card system will be introduced for both locals and foreigners, linking casino activity to personal identity and transaction history.
The plan has been approved “in principle” by the Vietnamese Politburo and is now under formal consultation before advancing to full regulatory adoption. Industry observers view this as a strong signal that Vietnam is preparing to scale up its local gaming access model, while still maintaining strict data control and AML compliance.
The shift from income verification to a fee-based system mirrors successful models in Singapore and Malaysia, where entry levies have helped balance social safeguards with stable tax revenues. For developers, the model introduces predictable access flows and simplifies compliance burdens, a critical factor in ROI calculations for integrated resort operators.
With total gaming revenue in Vietnam expected to surpass US $1.3 billion in 2025, a broader local player base—paired with streamlined access—could materially improve casino EBITDA margins across approved zones. For international stakeholders, Vietnam is increasingly positioning itself not just as a tourism hub, but as an investment-grade gaming jurisdiction.
