The decree, issued on October 20, 2026, updates security and public order rules for casinos, electronic gaming venues for foreign customers, and betting businesses. VNeID is an alternative to physical identity documents, and operators must still keep a full customer register and stop ineligible people from playing. The rules also bar hiring anyone with an unexpunged conviction for illegal gambling, organizing gambling or loan-sharking, and keep the 2016 requirement for at least 30% of security staff at casinos and electronic gaming venues to come from security service providers.
A second decree, 391/2026/ND-CP, sets new administrative penalties for gambling violations and replaces Decree 137/2021/ND-CP from December 5, 2026. Organizations face fines of up to VND200 million ($7,550), and individuals face fines of up to VND100 million ($3,775), along with business suspensions of one to 24 months.
Casinos that admit ineligible customers can be fined VND160 million to VND180 million ($6,040 to $6,800) and suspended for six to 12 months on a first offense, rising to 12 to 24 months for repeat offenses. Betting operators offering credit face the same fine range, while incomplete customer registers can cost VND130 million to VND150 million.
Eligible Vietnamese citizens can currently gamble legally only at Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc, which holds permanent permission, and The Grand Ho Tram, under a five-year pilot.
