Casino: Ban or let it play with special rules?

The question is: Is the casino market in Vietnam - although outside the law - a "gold mine" of underground revenue for cross-border betting networks?

Corona Casino in Phu Quoc ( Kien Giang ) - the only place currently allowing Vietnamese people to play - Photo: HAI KIM

In recent years, during major matches of the English Premier League - the most attractive football tournament on the planet - billboards along the field suddenly appeared with text promoting sports betting services not only in English or Chinese, but also... Vietnamese.

This surprised many people and made them wonder: Why is a country of just over 100 million people, not in the top of the world in terms of population, GDP or legal betting market size, targeted by global betting corporations in their native language?

The question is: Is the casino market in Vietnam - although outside the law - a "gold mine" of underground revenue for cross-border betting networks?

Ban will push activities into the "dark zone"

During the Lunar New Year 2024, Vietnamese social media spread a clip of hundreds of Vietnamese people crowding into a casino in Bavet (Cambodia), carrying suitcases of cash, even taking out loans to gamble.

Despite domestic bans, Vietnamese still find ways to cross the border or play online through illegal platforms. Meanwhile, casinos in Vietnam - which can be controlled and taxed - are only open to foreigners or on a limited pilot basis.

Since 2017, the Government has allowed Vietnamese people to gamble at some casinos such as those in Phu Quoc or Van Don, but with strict conditions. After seven years, the pilot policy has not been expanded, there is no specific law and the potential revenue source has not been exploited.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese people continue to play casinos - but play abroad or through illegal online platforms. Reality shows that the ban does not reduce demand but pushes the activity into the "dark zone".

According to a report by the Ministry of Public Security, in 2023 alone, more than 2,000 cases related to online gambling were discovered, with transaction amounts reaching tens of thousands of billions of VND.

Black credit organizations, football betting and online casinos are growing more and more sophisticated. Meanwhile, if managed transparently, casinos can be a big source of income.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Finance, the Corona Casino in Phu Quoc alone - the only place currently allowing Vietnamese people to play - has contributed more than 1,700 billion VND to the budget from 2019 to present, creating thousands of jobs in the locality.

That figure comes from a pilot model, showing great potential if replicated and managed properly.

International proactively places the bet

International experience shows that no country has managed casinos by outright banning them. Singapore is a prime example. The island nation said no to casinos for many years, but changed its approach when it realized the huge social need and economic potential.

Since 2010, Singapore has allowed the opening of two high-end casino complexes - Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa - with strict management policies: local residents must pay an entrance fee (100 Singapore dollars per day or 2,000 dollars per year), are limited in the number of times they can play, and if there are signs of irregularities, they will be denied continued participation.

Player data is tracked using an intelligent surveillance system, which allows Singapore to collect billions of dollars in taxes each year from casinos while still controlling social risks and attracting strong international tourism.

In the US, states such as Nevada and New Jersey have developed the casino industry as a pillar of the local economy, linked to the tourism and entertainment ecosystem.

In Australia, the casino system is supervised by independent anti-money laundering commissions, applying artificial intelligence technology and behavioral analysis to prevent risks.

It is easy to see that no country chooses to "ban it just to get it over with", instead, they proactively set strict "rules of the game" to manage it systematically.

So what can Vietnam do?

First of all, it is necessary to move from the pilot model to a full legal framework by promulgating a specialized law on casino business.

This law needs to clearly define the areas where gambling is allowed, linked to tourist areas or special economic zones; allow Vietnamese people to play with conditions and a mechanism to control income, frequency and behavior; require investors to deploy a player identification system, report transactions according to international standards; apply technology to limit losses, monitor playing time, and automatically warn; and at the same time, attach social responsibility through funds to support addicts, financial advice and communication to raise public awareness.

Second, there needs to be a clear distinction between legal casinos and illegal gambling. Instead of applying the same moral prejudice, casinos should be viewed as a regulated business, similar to alcohol, tobacco or finance - where the core factor is not "whether" but "how" to manage.

Third, we must publicize and make transparent the revenue and expenditure from casinos, including budget payments, job creation and social impact, to strengthen trust and reduce public concerns. And above all, we need to change the mindset of prohibition because it cannot be managed and cannot be a sustainable solution.

A modern state is one that dares to face reality, sets clear rules of the game, and controls them with law, technology, and responsibility. If managed transparently, strictly, and responsibly, casinos are not a threat, but can become an important link in Vietnam's tourism, financial, and urban development strategy.

Banning is never a long-term solution. Proactive management is the way to go.

DINH HONG KY (VICE PRESIDENT OF HO CHI MINH CITY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION)

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/casino-cam-hay-cu-cho-choi-voi-luat-chuyen-biet-20250623220157387.htm