Vietnam allows casinos to verify customers through VNeID from 15 November

Vietnam will permit casinos to verify customers through VNeID, the national digital identification app, from 15 November, according to the government's legal information portal. The amended security and public-order rules were issued by the government on 20 October. The option covers casinos, electronic gaming businesses serving foreigners and betting operators.

Under the revised rules, operators may check personal information through VNeID or through identity documents. The app is an additional verification method and does not remove the requirement to keep a customer register. Businesses must still record all customer information and must prevent customers who do not meet the criteria from playing electronic games or casino games.

The amendments also bar the employment of people with unexpunged convictions for specified offences, including gambling, organising gambling, making arrangements for gambling and loan-sharking. The source states that this provision concerns convictions that have not been removed.

Casinos and electronic gambling venues serving foreign nationals must continue to hire at least 30% of their security staff from security service providers. The source states that this requirement dates from the 2016 regulations and is not new.

Two venues presently admit eligible Vietnamese citizens: Corona Resort & Casino, located on Phu Quoc Island, and The Grand Ho Tram. The two differ in the terms of their permission. Corona's authorisation to take eligible Vietnamese players is permanent, whereas Ho Tram runs a pilot programme lasting 5 years. A separate 5-year pilot for local players at the Van Don casino project in Quang Ninh province has been approved by the government. It is set to start once that project is granted its casino operating license, and the project is still being developed.