Online gambling is illegal in Vietnam. The government does not license private online casinos or sportsbooks, and Decree 147/2024/ND-CP (effective 25 December 2024) specifically bans online games that resemble casino prizewinning games or use playing-card imagery. The only legal gambling channels are state-run: the Vietlott and provincial lotteries and a tightly controlled framework for betting on selected international football, horse racing and greyhound racing. Every commercial online casino or betting site a Vietnamese resident can reach is offshore and unlicensed in Vietnam, so using one carries legal and financial risk with no local consumer protection.

No. Vietnam treats most gambling as a regulated or prohibited social activity. Land-based casino gambling is tightly restricted, and online commercial gambling is not licensed at all. Decree 147/2024, which took effect on 25 December 2024, tightened rules on online services and explicitly prohibits online games that mimic casino prizewinning games or use card imagery, alongside player-verification requirements tied to Vietnamese phone numbers.

The narrow exceptions are the state lottery (Vietlott and provincial lotteries) and a government-run sports-betting regime introduced by Decree 06/2017/ND-CP, which permits licensed betting on certain international football matches, horse racing and greyhound racing under strict limits. These are the only legal ways to place a bet in the country.

Who regulates gambling in Vietnam?

The Ministry of Finance is the primary authority for licensing and overseeing casinos, betting and lotteries, while the Ministry of Public Security leads enforcement against illegal operators. Online content and gaming rules also fall under the Ministry of Information and Communications via Decree 147/2024. There is no dedicated online-gambling regulator because online commercial gambling is not permitted.

Licensed vs offshore operators

TypeExamplesStatus for locals
State lotteryVietlott, provincial lotteriesLegal
Licensed casinos (pilot)Corona Phu Quoc, The Grand Ho Tram, Van DonEligible Vietnamese citizens only under the pilot program
Licensed casinos (foreigner-only)HoianaNot open to Vietnamese citizens
Online casinos/sportsbooksOffshore brandsIllegal / unlicensed

Under Resolution 8/2025/NQ-CP (dated 26 November 2025), eligible Vietnamese citizens may gamble at three approved resort casinos: Corona Resort & Casino in Phu Quoc, The Grand Ho Tram and the Van Don complex. Eligibility requires being at least 21 and proving a monthly income of at least VND 10 million. This applies only to physical casinos, not online play, and other integrated resorts such as Hoiana remain foreigner-only.

Payments locals actually use

Because there is no legal online gambling market, there are no domestic payment rails built for it. Residents who use offshore sites typically rely on bank transfers, e-wallets (such as MoMo and ZaloPay for everyday spending) and cryptocurrency. None of these routes is protected if an offshore operator refuses a payout, freezes funds or disappears.

Crypto is used informally, but crypto gambling is not legal. Vietnam’s Law on Digital Technology Industry, passed on 14 June 2025 and effective 1 January 2026, formally recognises crypto assets as a form of property, and a 2025 resolution created a pilot licensing regime for crypto asset markets. However, crypto is not legal tender and the State Bank of Vietnam has banned it as a means of payment since 2017, and no operator is licensed to run crypto gambling. Betting with crypto on offshore sites remains unregulated and legally exposed.

Tax on player winnings

Under the Law on Personal Income Tax, a 10% tax applies to the portion of casino and lottery winnings above VND 10 million per prize. Tax law is subject to periodic reform, so always verify the current rule with Vietnam’s tax authority.

Safer gambling and getting help

Vietnam does not run a dedicated national gambling helpline. If gambling is causing harm, free Vietnamese-language online counselling is available through Gambling Therapy / Gordon Moody (gamblingtherapy.org), and general mental-health services can help. Set strict limits, never chase losses, and remember that offshore sites offer no local recourse.

18+. Gambling can be addictive. Play responsibly and only where it is legal.

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