Hanoi, October 14, 2026. Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has introduced two draft decrees to update administrative penalties for violations involving casinos, betting, lotteries and prize-winning electronic games, with maximum fines of VND200 million (US$7,700) for companies and VND100 million (US$3,850) for individuals.
The reforms, proposed by the ministry headed by Ngô Văn Tuấn, who has served as Finance Minister since April 8, 2026, aim to align gambling enforcement with legislation covering anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, inspections and administrative violations.
Nguyễn Đức Chi
The first decree, intended to update Decree 98/2013/NĐ-CP, contains four chapters and 32 articles, including 19 addressing violations, penalties and corrective measures. It covers ticket forgery, irregularities involving lottery agents, unauthorized promotions and manipulation of lottery draws. The second would replace Decree 137/2021/NĐ-CP, dated December 31, 2021, through 65 articles establishing 17 categories of betting violations, 15 involving casinos, 15 covering electronic gaming and four related to money laundering and illicit financing.
Authorities could impose operational suspensions, confiscations and the recovery of unlawfully obtained profits. One provision under consideration establishes fines ranging from VND180 million to VND200 million for casinos continuing operations during a suspension, alongside additional operational suspensions lasting six to twelve months. Enforcement responsibilities would be distributed among specialized agencies within the Ministry of Finance, chairpersons of provincial and commune-level People's Committees, and the People's Police, with separate powers to document violations and impose penalties.
Nguyễn Đức Chi, reappointed Deputy Minister of Finance under Decision 976/QĐ-TTg of June 1, 2026, remains part of the ministry's leadership. Nguyễn Văn Thắng, the former Finance Minister, has served as Deputy Prime Minister since April. The proposal establishes a general one-year limitation period for certain administrative violations. Both decrees remain in draft form, with no official promulgation or effective date announced.
