Playing games for rewards and selling virtual items illegally will be punished.

Game - Image 1.

Not only game service providers but also players involved in buying, selling, and exchanging virtual items will be fined - Illustration image.

The government has just issued Decree 174/2026 stipulating penalties for administrative violations in the fields of postal services, telecommunications, radio frequencies, electronic transactions, and information technology.

One of the notable changes is the tightening of regulations on the provision of online video games with elements of reward exchange and the illegal buying and selling of virtual items.

Players who buy or sell virtual items will also be penalized.

According to the new regulations, gamers are also subject to penalties under Article 101 of Decree 174/2026.

Specifically, players who register with incorrect personal information when participating in G1 electronic games (online games with interaction between multiple players through the server system of the service provider) will be given a warning penalty.

Meanwhile, failure to comply with regulations on managing playing time at public electronic game service establishments will be subject to a fine of 600,000 to 1 million VND.

Notably, the act of buying or selling virtual items, virtual units, or reward points in online video games is punishable by a fine of 2-3 million VND.

Similar penalties apply to players who use video games to commit illegal acts, disrupt social order and safety, or threaten national security.

The addition of stricter penalties for reward-based games and illegal virtual item transactions is seen as a move to tighten control over the online gaming environment, curb disguised gambling, and mitigate the risks of cybercrime.

Businesses providing online gambling games can be fined up to 200 million VND.

According to Clause 4, Article 99 of Decree 174/2026, businesses providing online electronic game services that allow players to buy and sell virtual items, virtual units, or reward points with each other in the game will be fined from 60 to 80 million VND.

In addition, the authorities also impose penalties on games with content that violates the provisions of Article 8 of the Cybersecurity Law or violates intellectual property regulations.

Prohibited content includes simulating casino games; using images of playing cards that are gambling-related; or containing images, sounds, or language that specifically depict terrorism, murder, torture, trafficking of women and children, incitement to violence, suicide, pornography, obscenity, drug use, alcohol, tobacco, or gambling.

Notably, converting virtual items, virtual units, or reward points into cash, telecommunication cards, bank cards, game cards, gift cards, or other tangible items with transactional value outside the game environment will be subject to very heavy penalties, ranging from 170 to 200 million VND, according to Clause 5, Article 99.

This penalty also applies to video games that distort history, undermine cultural traditions, violate national sovereignty , or insult the nation, national figures, or national heroes, but not to the extent of incurring criminal liability.

In addition to fines, violating entities may also have their online game publishing activities suspended for 1-3 months, and the confiscated items and means used in the administrative violation may be seized.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/choi-game-doi-thuong-ban-vat-pham-ao-trai-phep-se-bi-phat-20260527002853025.htm