Vietnam to trial single-operator football betting scheme
Finance Ministry proposes five-year pilot with higher limits and stricter controls.
Key points:
– One enterprise to be licensed for international football betting
– Daily limit raised from VND1m to VND10m (US$379) per player
– Minimum stake set at VND 10,000 with age limit of 21
Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has put forward a draft decree that would allow a single company to operate international football betting under a tightly controlled five-year pilot programme, according to local reports.
The proposal is designed to replace Decree 06/2017/N?-CP and would require participating firms to hold a charter capital of at least VND 1trn – around US$385,000. It also introduces significant changes to betting thresholds, raising the daily cap tenfold to VND10m per person while maintaining the minimum stake of VND10,000.
Under the plan, all wagers must be placed through verified accounts linked to banking or e-wallet services. Transactions, payouts and player activity would be traceable, ensuring compliance and transparency.
Eligibility is restricted to individuals aged 21 and above with full civil capacity. This higher bar is intended to protect younger citizens from potential gambling harms while supporting responsible play among adults.
Good to know: Only matches sanctioned by FIFA and its member associations will be included in the pilot, excluding domestic fixtures and electronic football tournaments
At the conclusion of the five-year trial, the Vietnamese Government will review the outcomes before deciding whether to continue, expand or abandon the initiative. Officials say the pilot aims to test whether a controlled and legal framework can meet public demand for football betting while reducing the influence of unregulated offshore platforms.
The move reflects a broader debate in Vietnam about balancing economic opportunities with social safeguards. Proponents argue that a single licensed operator could help the state monitor activity, collect tax revenues and reduce illegal gambling. Critics warn of risks to social stability and the need for careful oversight.
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