Vietnamese authorities have proposed simplifying the process for local residents to gain access to casinos

Vietnam's Ministry of Finance has proposed a significant increase in the entry fee for local residents to casinos. This initiative aims to replace the previous admission mechanism that required mandatory income verification.
The measure is part of an ongoing pilot program that allows citizens to visit casinos only in designated locations. Currently, Vietnamese residents can only gamble at the Corona Resort & Casino, located on Phu Quoc Island.
If approved, the cost of a one-day visit will double from 1.25 million Vietnamese dong (approximately $52) to 2.5 million VND (about $104). A monthly pass will see an even steeper increase, rising 2.5 times from 20 million VND (around $840) to 50 million VND (approximately $2,100). The ministry explained that the difficulty in collecting and submitting income documentation has become a significant barrier for individuals, particularly for those who visit casinos infrequently.
Additionally, the proposed changes include a requirement for casinos to retain customers' personal data for a minimum of five years. These measures are intended to enhance transparency and enable subsequent oversight.
This proposal coincides with discussions about extending the current experiment on Phu Quoc Island and allowing Vietnamese citizens access to a new casino being built in the Van Don area. It is noted that the relevant project has already received government approval. Under the agreement, the investor is required to invest at least $2 billion in the development of the complex, in exchange for a 70-year license to operate gambling activities.
As a reminder, Vietnam has proposed the construction of a $2.2 billion casino resort.