Vietnam cements major casino shift
Summary
Vietnam has formalised Resolution No. 307/2025/NQ-CP to expand its local-player casino pilot. The move authorises Vietnamese nationals to access Grand Ho Tram and the planned Van Don integrated resort as part of a five-year trial, in addition to the already-operational Corona Resort & Casino, which now has permanent local access after a six-year pilot delayed by COVID-19. Entry fees are set at VND 2.5m for 24 hours or VND 50m for monthly access. Authorities will use the expanded pilot to assess economic impact, regulatory performance and player protection measures before concluding the programme with a full evaluation.
Key Points
- Government formalises Resolution No. 307/2025 to widen local-player access to casinos.
- Local access expanded to Grand Ho Tram and planned Van Don integrated resort; Corona Resort & Casino granted permanent local access.
- Entry fees: VND 2.5m (approx. £72) for 24 hours, or VND 50m (approx. £1,434) monthly.
- The five-year pilot will measure economic benefits, regulatory outcomes and player protection effectiveness.
- Grand Ho Tram is undergoing a US$1bn expansion to become a leading regional integrated resort destination.
- Regional context: similar local-entry limits exist in South Korea and Singapore; Japan plans entry limits for locals at new integrated resorts.
- Political and regulatory developments in nearby markets (eg Thailand) may create an opportunity for Vietnam to attract tourism and gaming spend.
Content summary
The Vietnamese government has signed off a formal resolution that broadens who can gamble at casinos in-country as part of a controlled pilot. Where previously only Corona Resort & Casino admitted locals under a trial, the scope now includes Grand Ho Tram and the future Van Don resort for five years while officials gather data on fiscal returns, regulatory controls and safeguards for players.
To manage participation and protect public policy goals, operators will charge local entrants a daily or monthly fee. The Grand Ho Tram expansion — a billion-dollar development — underlines operator ambitions to position Vietnam as a competitive Southeast Asian gaming and leisure hub alongside Singapore, Manila and Macau.
Context and relevance
This is a policy pivot that matters to operators, investors and regional tourism planners. By moving from a single-site trial to a multi-resort pilot, Vietnam signals a cautious opening that balances revenue-seeking with social safeguards. The change arrives as neighbouring markets contend with their own regulatory paths and political uncertainty — a dynamic that could redirect regional casino tourism toward Vietnam if the pilot proves successful.
For casino operators and suppliers, the expanded access creates new commercial opportunities but also increases scrutiny around compliance and player protection. For investors and tourism bodies, the Ho Tram expansion and Van Don plans are developments to watch: they could shift visitor flows and competitive positioning across Southeast Asia.
Why should I read this?
Quick version: Vietnam just went from a one-horse trial to a proper multi-resort experiment. If you work in gaming, tourism or regional investment, this could change where customers go and where money flows. Read it to know whether to pitch, invest or keep a closer eye on regulatory tweaks.
Author style
Punchy take: This isn’t a tentative tweak — it’s a clear attempt to test a bigger domestic market while keeping safeguards in place. Operators and stakeholders should treat the next five years as a live case study: big plans, close oversight, and real commercial upside if the results stack up.
Source
Source: https://igamingexpert.com/regions/asia/vietnam-significant-shift-casino-framework/
