Vietnam's gambling policy has undergone a significant shift. Recently, Guangning Province officially approved the investment by Sun Group to build the Yuntun Economic Zone Integrated Resort Project, with a total investment of over 2 billion US dollars. This is not only a mega tourism and entertainment complex, but what draws more attention is that Vietnamese citizens, under strict regulation, will be allowed to enter casinos for gambling for the first time.
Breaking the "Half-Century Ban," Locals Allowed to Enter
For a long time, Vietnam has implemented a casino ban for its residents, concerned about the social issues brought by gambling. In 2019, the government allowed locals to enter the Corona Casino on Phu Quoc Island as a pilot, requiring an annual income of over 10 million Vietnamese dong (about 30,000 RMB) and an entrance fee. However, this pilot ended at the end of 2024, and Vietnamese were excluded again.
The debut of this new Yuntun project is seen as a "substantial relaxation" of policy. The Ministry of Finance proposes a "fee-based entry system":
Daily ticket about 100 USD
Monthly ticket about 2000 USD
Compared to the previous cumbersome financial review, this system is more direct, ensuring government revenue while curbing excessive gambling.
Underlying Reasons: Billions of Dollars Outflow and Rampant Illegal Gambling
The policy shift is not accidental. Scholars and policymakers point out:
Severe capital outflow: Vietnamese gamblers travel to casinos in Cambodia, the Philippines, and Singapore each year, causing billions of dollars in foreign exchange losses;
Rampant illegal gambling: Illegal online gambling and underground betting are difficult to regulate, leading to public security and money laundering issues.
The Ministry of Finance emphasizes: "Rather than letting funds flow out of the country, it is better to bet under domestic regulation and contribute to national tax revenue."
Yuntun Model: A Pilot or a Prelude to National Promotion?
Guangning Province positions the Yuntun Economic Zone as a "tourism + entertainment + international passenger flow" hub. In addition to the casino, the resort includes hotels, convention centers, and yacht ports, aiming to attract international tourists and local high-spending groups.
Industry insiders generally believe that if the model is successful, Vietnam may gradually open more city casinos to locals, potentially ushering in an "era of regulated gambling liberalization."
