Opportunities for local players in Vietnam are set to triple after the government expanded the scope of its pilot program.

Under the official Resolution No. 307/2025/NQ-CP, local players are now allowed to visit the Grand Ho Tram resort and the planned Van Don integrated resort as part of a five-year pilot project.

Corona Resort & Casino, which launched the local player pilot program in 2019 and was previously the only location available for locals, has now granted permanent access to local participants, concluding the six-year pilot process that was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure the financial sustainability of each local player, entry fees have been set at 2.5 million VND ($94.79) for 24 hours or 50 million VND ($1,986) for monthly access.

Expanding the program allows Vietnam to assess the economic benefits, regulatory performance, and player protection measures associated with increased local access. The pilot program will conclude following a comprehensive evaluation by the authorities.

Local Player Restrictions Are Common in Asia

Similar to Vietnam, South Korean citizens can only visit one of the country’s 17 casinos, while in Singapore, local players are required to pay an entry fee. In Japan, the first integrated resort is under construction at MGM Osaka, and once opened, locals will be subject to restrictions such as entry fees and limits on weekly and monthly visits.

The decision to grant local players access to Grand Ho Tram comes amid a $1 billion expansion of the resort, aimed at turning it into one of the largest integrated complexes in Vietnam, featuring a five-star hotel, luxury villas, a variety of entertainment facilities, and a convention and exhibition center.

Construction began in May, and at the time, the casino’s CEO, Walter Power, expressed his intention to make the resort a regional gaming hub in Southeast Asia.

“We firmly believe Ho Tram will not only be Vietnam’s leading integrated resort destination but will also be able to compete with top regional destinations such as Singapore, Manila and Macau, particularly as we work closely with authorities at all levels to explore new growth drivers,” he told local media.

While Macau remains the region’s most prominent gaming destination, regulatory challenges in other countries provide Vietnam with opportunities to attract casino tourists.

For much of the year, Thailand appeared likely to introduce casino regulation and build integrated resorts in key tourist areas. However, political turmoil ended Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s tenure and subsequently her casino bill.

As a result, countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and even Sri Lanka now have the chance to attract tourist flows that might otherwise have gone to Thailand.

Source

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