69 Electronic Game Business Points Nationwide
Regarding the implementation of the law on games of chance for foreigners, a report by Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc sent to the National Assembly stated that since 2012, after being approved by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and based on the provisions of investment law and enterprise law, the Government has issued 03 Decrees on the operation of electronic games with prizes for foreigners and 1 Decree on administrative sanctions in the field of gaming with prizes, the Ministry of Finance has issued 3 Circulars guiding the details of these Decrees.
Tight management of electronic game business activities with prizes
These documents have fully regulated the legal framework for the operation of electronic games with prizes, according to which: It is determined that this is a conditional business sector that needs to be tightly managed; business licenses are only granted to 5-star hotels that meet the conditions of infrastructure, have a minimum charter capital of 500 billion VND and operate efficiently (business in consecutive financial years with profit and no accumulated losses); the scale of operation is based on the scale of the hotel (in a ratio of a maximum of 01 electronic game machine for every 05 hotel rooms).
At the same time, only foreigners and Vietnamese people with foreign permanent residence are allowed to play electronic games with prizes, and Vietnamese people are strictly prohibited from playing in any form; clearly define the responsibilities of the Ministries and departments in the state management of this business activity.
Currently, the market for electronic games with prizes has 69 business points nationwide, located in 5-star hotels concentrated in provinces, cities with developed socio-economic and tourism (such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Khanh Hoa, Da Nang…).
In the period 2019 – 2022, the business operation of electronic games with prizes was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many businesses had to close and stop operations.
In 2023, the business results achieved better results than in 2022, specifically, the state budget revenue is 2,189 billion VND, an increase of 26.5% compared to 2022. However, the market has not recovered as it was in 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic).
Enhancing management, supervision, and inspection of activities
Implementing the provisions of the Decrees, annually the Ministry of Finance has closely cooperated with the Ministries of: Public Security, Planning and Investment, Culture, Sports, and Tourism, State Bank of Vietnam, Provincial People’s Committees in conducting regular and remote management and supervision of this business activity.
As of 2023, the Inter-Agency Inspection Team has directly inspected 61 businesses, including: imposing administrative fines on 23 businesses with a total amount of 3,039 billion VND; suspending the business permit for 1 business; having 3 official letters requesting the Ministry of Public Security to coordinate monitoring for specific cases. At the same time, the Ministry of Finance regularly issues documents to rectify businesses, requiring them to overcome existing limitations and restrictions.
In addition to the inter-ministerial inspection work, annually the Provincial People’s Committees also regularly inspect and inspect businesses in their localities, up to now, 10 Provincial People’s Committees have conducted inspections at 20 electronic gaming businesses with prizes.
In particular, there are some locations taking advantage of gambling, and the local police have inspected and handled criminal matters as prescribed. Up to now, basic electronic gaming points have met business conditions.
In the coming time, continue to strictly manage the operation of electronic games with prizes, which is a conditional business sector, ensuring security and social order.
Based on this principle, the Ministry of Finance is reviewing to coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies in 2024 to review and refine the mechanisms and policies related to the management of the operation of electronic games with prizes; improve the regulations on administrative sanctions for violations to improve enforcement.
At the same time, the Ministry of Finance will coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security, relevant agencies, and localities to strengthen management, supervision, and inspection of the operation of electronic games with prizes, ensuring security and social order. In 2024, the Ministry of Finance plans to inspect the operation of electronic games with prizes at 11 businesses.
