On October 29, the trial of 141 defendants involved in the Pullman Hotel gambling ring resumed with the announcement of the indictment.

Among the defendants, five were charged with “organizing gambling,” including South Korean nationals Cho Choon Keun (born 1973), Choi Jin Bok (born 1966), and Shim Hawn Hee (born 1996), as well as Vietnamese nationals Phan Truong Giang (born 1972), Director of the Viet Hai Dang Company’s Overseas Vietnamese Business Club Branch, and Nguyen Dinh Lam (born 1954), Deputy General Director of Viet Hai Dang Company.

Another 136 individuals were charged with “gambling.” Many of them were former state officials, executives, and professionals from the media, healthcare, and cultural sectors.

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The defendants stand trial at the Hanoi People’s Court. Photo: CTV

One of the most high-profile gamblers was Bui Van Huynh, a construction technician from Hai Duong. On July 20, 2023, Huynh registered for a reward-based electronic gaming card at King Club under the alias “Mr Calla.”

From February 7 to June 21, 2024, Huynh gambled 33 times, wagering more than USD 15 million (approximately VND 364 billion) on Baccarat. His largest single bet exceeded USD 1.4 million (about VND 35 billion), with an overall loss of over USD 730,000 (VND 17 billion).

Another major gambler, Vu Phong, joined King Club on July 29, 2020, using the name “Mr Tom.” Between February 4 and June 10, 2024, he placed 100 bets on electronic slot machines and Baccarat, wagering over USD 10 million (VND 257 billion). His biggest single bet amounted to more than USD 479,000 (over VND 11 billion), and he lost more than USD 1.4 million (VND 35 billion).

Also on trial was businesswoman Vu Thi Tuyet Mai, who was issued a reward gaming card under the alias “Mrs Joana” on February 17, 2022. From February 6 to June 22, 2024, she placed 66 bets on Roulette and Baccarat, totaling more than USD 9.7 million (VND 235 billion). Her largest single bet exceeded USD 491,000 (about VND 11 billion), and her losses totaled approximately VND 15 billion.

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Scene from the trial of the high-stakes gambling ring at Pullman Hotel. Photo: CTV

A well-known figure in this case was Ho Dai Dung, former Vice Chairman of the Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee, who placed 95 bets on Slots, Roulette, and Baccarat, wagering more than USD 7 million.

Engineer Nguyen Duc Long, employed at Vigracera Infrastructure Development Company, was accused of placing 103 bets between February 4 and May 23, 2024, totaling over VND 102 billion. He reportedly lost around VND 4.5 billion.

Another defendant, Ngo Ngoc Duc, former Party Secretary of Hoa Binh City, opened an account under the name “Mr Lucky One.” Between February and June 2024, he gambled 74 times with total wagers exceeding USD 4.2 million (VND 102 billion), losing over USD 284,000 (VND 6.8 billion).

Businessman Nguyen Anh Linh was also indicted for gambling, reportedly spending the equivalent of VND 65 billion across 79 sessions using slot machines, Roulette, and Baccarat. His total losses reached nearly VND 10 billion.

According to the Supreme People’s Procuracy, many defendants were repeat offenders. Of the 141 defendants, 121 had gambled more than twice, including Ho Dai Dung, Ngo Ngoc Duc, Do Anh Tuan, Le The Chien, Nguyen Xuan Hue, Nguyen Minh Tuan, Nguyen Thi Dung, Nguyen The Vu, Vu Phong, Nguyen Thanh Bach, and Truong Xuan Danh.

However, 137 of the 141 defendants received mitigating circumstances for showing remorse and cooperating with the investigation.

T. Nhung