Online bingo is technically banned in Vietnam, falling under the broader prohibition on online gambling and casino-style games enforced by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Security (1). Vietnam's Decree 147/2024/ND-CP, which takes effect on December 25, 2024, explicitly prohibits casino-like games and card-based games, strengthening the government's restrictions on digital gambling activities (2). Despite the ban, Vietnamese residents regularly access offshore online bingo sites to conduct wagers, though such activity violates Vietnamese law and carries legal consequences (1).
The regulatory framework governing gambling in Vietnam distinguishes between permitted activities like state-run lotteries and sports betting on selected events, and prohibited activities including online casino games and online bingo (1). The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Security maintain authority to enforce gambling laws and conduct raids on illegal gambling operations, with severe penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment for individuals caught participating in or operating unlicensed gambling platforms (1). The government implements strict monitoring of financial and internet transactions to detect and prevent illegal online gambling activities within Vietnamese borders (1).
"Online gambling is technically banned in Vietnam; however, the country's residents regularly access offshore sites to conduct bets. The government tries blocking access to these sites; nevertheless, the actual enforcement rarely materializes. Vietnamese authorities are also keen to try to avoid unregulated online gambling."
Decree 147 introduces enhanced player verification requirements and protective measures, mandating that operators use Vietnamese mobile phone numbers for registration and implement restrictions on minors with maximum gaming sessions of 60 minutes and daily caps of three hours (2). Foreign companies seeking to operate e-gambling services legally in Vietnam must establish local entities, obtain dual licenses from the Ministry of Finance and State Bank, and meet steep financial thresholds with minimum charter capital requirements exceeding 500 billion dong, though these regulations apply to restricted forms of gambling rather than online bingo (1). The enforcement of online bingo prohibitions remains inconsistent, as the government balances public order concerns with economic considerations around regulated gambling (1).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulations-in-vietnam/
https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/vietnam-implements-decree-147-to-tighten-online-gaming-regulations-116264
Last updated: 01-11-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
