Vietnam Introduces Digital ID Verification And Tougher Gambling Penalties

Vietnam is introducing new gambling regulations that will allow casinos to verify customers through the country's national digital identification system while strengthening penalties for operators that breach licensing and compliance requirements.

Under Decree 392/2026/ND-CP, casinos, electronic gaming venues serving foreign customers and betting operators will be permitted to use the VNeID digital identity application to verify customers from 15 November 2026.

The changes provide an alternative to traditional physical identification documents, although operators will remain responsible for maintaining accurate customer records and ensuring that only eligible individuals can access gambling facilities.

A separate decree, taking effect on 5 December, will introduce updated administrative penalties covering gambling-related offences, including failures in customer verification, record-keeping and responsible operations.

Digital Identity Verification Introduced For Casinos

Vietnam's new identification requirements will allow gambling operators to verify customers using either the VNeID application or conventional identity documents.

VNeID is the country's national electronic identification platform, providing a digital method of confirming an individual's identity.

Despite the introduction of electronic verification, operators must continue recording customers' full details in official registers and preventing individuals who fail to meet eligibility requirements from participating in casino or electronic gaming activities.

The updated regulations also address employment restrictions, prohibiting businesses from hiring individuals with unexpunged criminal convictions involving illegal gambling, organising gambling activities, providing premises for unlawful gambling or loan-sharking.

Existing security staffing requirements will remain in place, including the obligation for casinos and electronic gaming venues serving foreign customers to obtain at least 30% of their security personnel from licensed security service providers.

That requirement was originally introduced under Vietnam's 2016 regulations and will continue to apply alongside the revised identification rules.

Gambling Operators Face Fines Of Up To VND200 Million

Decree 391/2026/ND-CP, issued on 20 October, will replace the existing administrative penalty framework when it comes into force on 5 December 2026.

The legislation covers casinos, electronic gaming establishments serving foreign customers and betting activities involving horse racing, dog racing and international football.

Organisations found responsible for violations could face fines of up to VND200 million (approximately £5,700), while individuals may be fined up to VND100 million.

Additional sanctions include confiscation of items connected to offences, corrective measures and temporary business suspensions ranging from one to 24 months.

Betting operators that provide customers with credit could face penalties of between VND160 million and VND180 million, while selling betting tickets to ineligible individuals may result in fines ranging from VND130 million to VND150 million.

Casinos admitting customers who do not meet eligibility requirements could also face fines of up to VND180 million. First-time violations may result in suspensions lasting six to 12 months, increasing to 12 to 24 months for repeat offences.

Operators that fail to maintain customer registers, record incomplete information or retain records in accordance with regulatory requirements could be fined between VND130 million and VND150 million.

Breaches involving anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and proliferation financing obligations will carry penalties ranging from VND40 million to VND200 million.

Vietnamese Citizens Continue To Face Restricted Casino Access

Vietnam maintains strict controls over domestic participation in casino gambling, with only selected venues authorised to admit eligible Vietnamese citizens.

Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc Island has received permanent approval to accept qualifying local customers, while The Grand Ho Tram operates under a five-year pilot programme.

The government has also approved a five-year pilot allowing Vietnamese citizens to gamble at the planned Van Don casino development in Quang Ninh province.

However, the Van Don programme will not begin until the project receives its operating licence, with the casino still under development.

These arrangements mean that the introduction of digital identity verification does not represent a wider relaxation of Vietnam's restrictions on domestic casino participation.

Instead, the regulatory changes focus on modernising customer identification procedures and strengthening enforcement across the existing gambling framework.

With the two decrees taking effect in November and December, operators will need to ensure their customer verification systems, record-keeping procedures and compliance arrangements meet the updated requirements.