Spotlight on Asia: Delayed But Still Valuable
In the heart of Southeast Asia, Vietnam's land-based gaming industry has been a sleeping giant, with policy progress constrained by a government wary of the societal dangers posed by gambling. However, recent developments suggest a new era for local participation in this burgeoning industry.
The Corona casino's three-year pilot program, initiated in 2017 under Decree 03/2017/ND-CP, was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The success of the Corona casino, located remotely on Phu Quoc Island, cannot be gauged after the pilot program ended on 1 January 2021.
Multiple sources claim to have heard similar rumblings from the powers that be about a possible policy change. If true, authorities are considering another pilot program for locals gaming, or something more substantial. The nature of the policy change is not yet clear, but possibilities include another pilot period for select operators.
As of mid-2025, local Vietnamese gamers have very limited access to Vietnam's land-based gambling industry. Previously, access was tightly controlled through financial eligibility criteria requiring locals to prove a monthly income of around US$400. To address this, the Vietnamese government has proposed replacing income verification with a flat entry fee system for locals—about US$95 for daily entry and up to US$1,900 monthly. This move aims to simplify access while maintaining social safeguards.
The potential implications for growth are significant. With Vietnam’s total gaming revenue expected to exceed US$1.3 billion in 2025, easing local access through entry fees could broaden the player base, stabilize revenue streams, and improve casino profit margins, making Vietnam an increasingly attractive destination for gaming investment.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s rapidly growing mobile gaming industry is thriving globally. Vietnamese studios have achieved billions of downloads and high engagement times, representing a distinct but related growth in Vietnam’s gaming sector.
The proposed entry fee system, if approved, could mark a significant turning point for Vietnam's land-based gaming industry. It could position the country alongside Macau, the Philippines, and Singapore as one of Asia's powerhouse jurisdictions for gaming. However, until these policies are fully adopted and implemented, local participation remains constrained.
In conclusion, the future of Vietnam's land-based gaming industry appears to be on the cusp of a transformative shift. The proposed entry fee system, if implemented, could open up new opportunities for local gamers, stabilize revenue streams for casinos, and attract more investment to the industry. While the mobile gaming sector continues to thrive, the land-based industry eagerly awaits the implementation of these new policies.
The potential implementation of a new entry fee system for local gamers could signal a shift in Vietnam's land-based gaming industry, potentially opening up opportunities and attracting more investment, as the country positions itself among Asia's powerhouse jurisdictions for gaming, like Macau, the Philippines, and Singapore. The success of this change could influence the stability of casino revenue streams and broaden the player base, following recent developments in the finance sector regarding access for local Vietnamese gamers.
Despite the burgeoning mobile gaming industry in Vietnam, the future of the land-based casino-and-gambling industry lies in the adoption and implementation of these proposed policies, as they aim to simplify access while maintaining social safeguards in the light of previous finance restrictions.
