Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi signed a decision to establish teams to inspect the prize-winning video game business for foreigners at big hotels managed by the Saigon Tourism Corporation, Tien Phuoc JSC and 990 Company in early November.

According to the Government's Decree 121 on the business of prize-winning electronic games for foreigners, the types of machines and types of prize-winning electronic games include: slot machines, roulette machines, electronic baccarat machines, electronic blackjack machines, sicbo machines, horse racing and mahjong machines, and poker machines, which are fully automatic.

The subjects allowed to play at these business points are foreigners and Vietnamese residing abroad who legally enter Vietnam.

A recent report from the Ministry of Finance showed that, due to the impact of Covid-19, revenue and the number of visitors to casinos have decreased. All nine operating casinos reported losses in 2021.

Specifically, in 2017-2019, the casino business grew, with an average revenue of about VND1,700 billion/year, and average payment to the state budget of about VND858 billion/year.

From 2020, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, revenue of casinos in 2021 was equivalent to 89% of 2020 and 57% of 2019. Total revenue in 2021 of six small-scale casinos was VND 86 billion and of three large-scale casinos (Nam Hoi An, Ho Tram, Phu Quoc) was VND1,462 billion.

Tran Chung