If the decree is passed, Vietnamese residents over 21 will be allowed to visit casinos, while foreigners and Vietnamese expatriates will still need eligible passports and visas to Viet Nam.— Photob dantri.com.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has proposed a draft decree allowing Vietnamese people to gamble in casinos.

If the decree is passed, Vietnamese residents over 21 will be allowed to visit casinos, while foreigners and Vietnamese expatriates will still need eligible passports and visas to Viet Nam.

The draft decree also sets out requirements for business owners, which include five years of experience managing a casino and a capital guarantee of at least US$4 billion.

Gambling tables, machines and other devices must be brand-new and certified by the producer, supplier and a legal independent testing organisation. The maximum quantity of gambling machines and tables in each project will be decided if the Prime Minister approves the proposal.

In addition, casinos face sanctions up to VND200 million for violations such as operating without a licence or exceeding the permitted quantity of game machines and tables.

Seven enterprises have received permission to open casinos, including five small-scale projects in Hai Phong, Da Nang and Quang Ninh and two large-scale projects in Quang Nam and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Two other projects in southern Kien Giang Province and northeastern Quang Ninh province have been approved by the Politburo and are seeking investment.— VNS