Local residents who want to gamble in Vietnamese casinos now face significantly higher barriers. The Ministry of Finance in Vietnam recently rejected the price reduction proposals from two major casinos, insisting on implementing a higher entrance fee policy. This means the price for a monthly pass for locals has doubled to 50 million Vietnamese dong (about $1900), and a single-day ticket costs 2.5 million Vietnamese dong (about $95), setting a record high threshold.
Entrance fees doubled, casinos' "price reduction for survival" proposal rejected
The core change in this policy is the significant increase in the cost for local citizens to enter casinos. The monthly ticket price jumped from the original 25 million Vietnamese dong to 50 million Vietnamese dong, effectively doubling. Faced with rising thresholds, the two major casinos located in Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc Island tried to "bargain" with regulatory authorities, proposing more cost-effective annual passes or moderately reduced monthly ticket prices as alternatives, hoping to retain some local regulars. However, the Ministry of Finance was very firm in its stance, rejecting these proposals outright and clearly stating that the high threshold policy will remain unchanged.
Regulation and market game: High thresholds intended to "deter"
Why is the Ministry of Finance so adamant? The logic behind it is clear and strong. The official explanation states that the main purpose of significantly increasing the entrance fees is to set high barriers through economic means, thereby effectively limiting the participation of low and middle-income groups in gambling, reducing potential addiction risks and social issues from the source. At the same time, the high threshold also means that the number of local players who can enter the casino will naturally decrease, which to some extent simplifies the administrative process of identity verification and background screening. For industry insiders who want to understand the latest trends in global gambling regulation, they can visit the PASA official website for the latest regulatory dynamics.
The regulatory logic and market outlook behind the new rules
This tightening policy is not an isolated event; it is happening against the backdrop of overall reform in the Vietnamese casino regulatory system. According to the new draft decree, local gamblers will not only need to meet age and civil capacity requirements, purchase high-priced tickets, but also prove their financial strength, and must not be on any self-exclusion lists. Data shows that although local gamblers may only account for about half of the number, their spending power is astonishing, contributing nearly 90% of the revenue in the Phu Quoc Island pilot project. Therefore, the regulatory approach is clear: while attracting investment through high-end tourism, a strict admission system must be established as a "firewall" to balance economic benefits and social responsibilities. When the final new decree will be implemented is still under observation.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leader" gambling news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
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