VietNamNet Bridge - Vietlott and traditional lotteries, casinos, and dog and horse races are causing social problems, some people contend, but experts believe they are a normal part of the market economy.


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Truong Xuan Tam, a member of the National Bar Council, said that prize-winning games have existed for many years around the world. Governments may encourage or discourage the development of some games, depending on the countries’ culture and economic development, by taxing the games.

Tam said traditional lotteries have existed for a long time in Vietnam, while dog and horse race and casinos have become more popular among Vietnamese in recent years.

The horse racecourse in Phu Tho has been around for many years while dog race appeared 10 years ago in Vung Tau City. 

Vietnam now has seven casinos open to foreigners. Dog races are organized at Dai Nam Tourism Complex. There is another large-scale dog-race project in Soc Son district in Hanoi.

Vietlott and traditional lotteries, casinos, and dog and horse races are causing social problems, some people contend, but experts believe they are a normal part of the market economy.

“More and more entertainment activities have been marketed in Vietnam to serve people’s  demands. Therefore, the state should accept the existence of the activities as a part of the market economy,” Tam said.

He said that state management agencies appear to be too cautious and even shy of the development of prize-winnng games. However, they must understand that many activities still exist and develop despite the bans, if they satisfy people’s demands.

“Vietnam imposes a ban on football betting. However, many people still surreptitiously engage in betting,” he said.

He believes that it would be better not to ban the activities. Instead, the state should allow people to participate in the activities, put the activities under strict control to minimize possible adverse effects, and collect tax from the business.

Tam stressed that if gambling can be controlled well, it won’t have an adverse impact on  society, while the state will have a big source of revenue. Genting in Malaysia and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore bring big money to the state every year.

In the latest move, the government has decided to allow Vietnamese to go to casinos, but had set limitations. Vietnamese players must be at least 21 years old and must prove that they have monthly income of at leadt VND10 million. 

Dinh Trong Thinh from the Finance Academy said these are all activities in a market economy and they can bring a large amount of revenue to the state budget.


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