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| A slot machines area at McCarran International Airport – Las Vegas, United States. — Photo altegobrand.com |
HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has permitted international airports in Viet Nam to install slot machines for use by foreign passengers, the government office said on November 21.
The office said Dung has approved the Airports Corporation of Vietnam's proposal to operate slot machines for its international passengers.
The airports in Las Vegas and Frankfurt are famous for their slot machines.
While gambling by foreigners is permitted, the country still bans gambling by Vietnamese citizens. The 43 slot machines and eight casinos in the country are meant only for foreigners. PM Dung said the slot machines should be located in isolated areas in airports and used by foreign passengers only.
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| Cam Ranh International Airport will be among the airports with slot machines in Viet Nam. — Photo dantri.com |
According to the finance ministry (MoF), revenue from casinos reached VND1.38 trillion (US$61.4 million) last year.
Meanwhile, according to xinhua.net, the neighbouring Cambodia's casino industry has generated a revenue of approximately $2 billion per annum. In 2014, Cambodia earned more than $25 million in tax revenues from casino operations in 2014, a 12 per cent increase over 2013, added xinhua.net.
PM Dung also told MoF to get feedback from Deputy Prime Ministers and leaders of ministries for inclusion in a draft decree to amend Decree No. 86/2013/ND-CP, dated July 2013, that regulates gaming by foreigners.
Viet Nam has 21 airports, including 11 international airports. — VNS