Vietnamese citizens wanting to enter casinos under a new rule effective early next month must prove they earn regular monthly income of at least VND10 million (US$440).

A photo shows a casino on board a cruise ship 

This regulation is included in the Finance Ministry’s Circular 102/2017/TT-BTC guiding the implementation of the Government’s Decree 03/2017/ND-CP on casino business which came into force on March 15.

To prove their eligibility, gamblers must produce proof of corresponding taxable incomes, or monthly wage payments certified by their employers. They can also use other certified copies of housing and asset lease agreements with monthly rent of over VND10 million, and bank savings accounts with monthly interest of over VND10 million.

Decree 03/2017 states that Vietnamese gamblers are given the green light to enter casinos for a three-year pilot period since the first casino operator get the go-ahead. Then, the Government will assess the effectiveness of the trial scheme in order to decide whether to continue with the scheme.

Local gamblers must be 21 years old or above, have full civil capacity, and meet financial requirements if they want to enter casino resorts. They are required to pay a fee of VND1 million for a 24-hour casino pass or VND25 million for a monthly pass.

Notably, gamblers are not allowed in if their family members like parents, parents-in-law, spouses and children submit formal requests for preventing them from casinos.

SGT