The Vietnamese government is set to end its three-year pilot program allowing local citizens to participate in casino gambling. Starting tomorrow, December 31, Vietnamese nationals will no longer be permitted to gamble at the casino on Phu Quoc Island. This marks the conclusion of an initiative aimed at evaluating the feasibility and impact of locals gaming in Vietnam.
The Corona Resort & Casino in Phu Quoc, Vietnam, which initiated the locals gaming pilot in 2019, has announced the suspension of the program on its website. The casino expressed its “deepest gratitude” to patrons and highlighted its role as “the first enterprise authorized to pilot Vietnamese citizens playing in a casino.”
As of midnight on December 31, Vietnamese citizens will no longer be allowed to gamble at the casino. The announcement described the suspension as temporary, stating it will remain in effect “until further notice … regarding the termination or continuation of this pilot program.”
The suspension does not affect international guests or Vietnamese nationals holding foreign passports.
Pilot Program Impacted by COVID-19
In 2016, the Politburo approved a trial allowing locals to gamble at casinos on two islands: Phu Quoc in Kien Giang Province, off the southern coast, and Van Don in the Bai Tu Long archipelago in the northeast.
The Corona Resort & Casino, which launched in January 2019, was the first to implement this pilot program. Developed by Phu Quoc Tourism Investment and Development JSC, the project involved an initial investment of VND50 trillion (£1.7 billion/€2 billion/$2.15 billion).
Van Don, however, remains in the planning stages, leaving Corona as the only casino in Vietnam where locals can gamble under specific conditions. Vietnamese citizens are required to prove a minimum monthly income of VND10 million and must pay entry fees of VND1 million per day or VND25 million per month.
The trial was initially set to conclude in 2022 but was extended due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, which impacted the program's evaluation and results.
Tourism could swing revenues
Phu Quoc is expected to attract 6 million tourists this year, a 49% increase from 2019, according to the Kien Giang Department of Tourism. Dubbed the Pearl Island, it has seen a significant rise in international visitors—almost 1 million in 2024, compared to 671,000 in 2019.
Despite the overall tourism boom, Corona Resort & Casino has struggled to turn a profit. Vietnam Biz reports that while revenue increased, the operator recorded a loss exceeding VND300 billion in the first half of 2024. Analysts attribute the downturn to high depreciation costs, steep interest payments, and a decline in player numbers since 2023, when COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
Optimism for a turnaround in 2025
The outlook for Phu Quoc remains positive heading into 2025. According to the Saigon Times, the island benefits from favorable visa policies, cost-effective entertainment options, efficient transportation, and natural attractions. Notably, Travel+Leisure magazine recently named Phu Quoc among the 25 best travel destinations for 2025, while Condé Nast Traveler ranked it second among Asia's top 10 islands, just behind Thailand's Koh Samui.
Adding to the optimism, Tuoi Tre News highlights 274 tourism projects in development on the island, with a combined value of VND388.41 trillion.
Hope for the future
Corona Resort & Casino remains hopeful that the suspension on local gambling will be lifted. The operator has pledged to maintain “all benefits for Vietnamese customers” and to provide updates if the program resumes.
“Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc firmly believes that, with proper adjustments, we will soon resume operations to serve our valued customers and partners, creating meaningful value for the future,” the resort stated on its website.
