Vietnam formalizes local gaming access with 5-year Ho Tram concession, Corona pilot program becomes permanent | AGB
Summary
Vietnam has formalised and expanded its pilot local-gambling scheme. The government has approved a five-year concession for Grand Ho Tram and confirmed a five-year concession will apply to a future Van Don casino once it opens. The earlier trial run at Corona Resort & Casino, which had previously lapsed after extensions, has been made permanent. The directive takes effect immediately, signalling a broader opening for locals to access licensed gaming venues.
Key Points
- Grand Ho Tram granted a five-year authorisation to offer gambling to locals.
- Van Don will receive a five-year concession for local gaming once the casino opens.
- Corona Resort & Casino’s pilot programme is now permanent after earlier extensions had lapsed.
- The move expands Vietnam’s pilot programme allowing domestic players into licensed resorts.
- Operators positioned near Ho Chi Minh City, like Grand Ho Tram, stand to gain from increased local demand.
- Regulatory certainty could attract investment and reshape regional competition, with implications for operators and suppliers.
Content Summary
The article reports that Vietnam’s government has moved from a temporary pilot to a formalised framework for local gaming by approving five-year concessions for Grand Ho Tram and the future Van Don property, and by making the Corona pilot permanent. The change is effective from the announced directive and is part of a wider experiment to manage locals’ access to casinos while keeping control via concession terms. The bulletin also flags related industry news: Macau’s GGR is forecast to grow about 5% in 2026, and an Australian racing integrity probe has used wagering analysis to uncover a scheme.
Context and Relevance
This policy shift matters for casino operators, investors and regional market watchers. Allowing locals under set concessions can increase domestic visitation, alter revenue mix, and change promotional and compliance strategies. It also signals Vietnam’s gradual, managed approach to opening its gaming market, which could affect regional competition (notably operators targeting Vietnamese customers) and local tourism development.
Why should I read this?
Short version: this is a proper policy change, not a pilot trial — so if you care about investment, operations or market shifts in Southeast Asian gaming, you want to know how it changes who can play and where the customers will come from. We’ve done the skimming for you.
Source
Source: https://agbrief.com/news/27/11/2025/vietnam-grants-locals-gaming-ho-tram/
