The Da Nang People’s Committee proposed to Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh at a meeting in late July that an additional 80-100 gambling tables be allowed at the Silver Shores International Resort.

The resort now has eight tables and with its large number of visitors it requires more, Chairman Huynh Duc Tho told the meeting.

According to Mr. Tho, Resolution No. 33 from the National Assembly in 2003 permitted the central city to establish the Crown Game Club at Silver Shores International Resort. The city has now been requesting additional tables for more than five years.

The request was approved by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) but stalled at the government level.

If the club had an additional 80-100 gambling tables, the investor, the Hoang Dat Silver Shores Exceptional International Entertainment Company, would contribute about $136 million in tax payments each year to the city, Mr. Tho said. The number of Chinese visitors coming to Da Nang is high and they have deep pockets, he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh told the meeting that the government had discussed electronic gaming projects and been drafting a decree.

The government would allow existing gaming locations to continue operations but would not consider expansions. New locations in Quang Ninh province and on Phu Quoc Island will be licensed but others are yet to be granted approval.

He added that the government has requested MoF to consider whether to permit gambling by foreign players only or by both foreign and Vietnamese players. Da Nang’s proposal would be considered after the issuance of the government decree, he said.

The government in late June announced a conclusion to its draft decree amending and supplementing Decree No. 86 on “Electronic Gaming for Foreigners” from 2013. After three years of implementation the decree has exhibited shortcomings.

Pursuant to the new draft decree, the government requested more specific regulation as this is a type of conditional business sector so should be promoted inside hotels that have a gaming business license. Advertising should also be regulated more clearly.

In addition, enterprises applying for new gaming licenses must have sufficient capital, as regulated.

Many investors have taken an interest in gaming at international airports, according to the Airport Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), which is now compiling a detailed plan on the matter.

Silver Shores International Resort Da Nang is an integrated five-star resort located on the coast of Da Nang. It has been open since 2009, with investment capital of $1.6 billion.