Vietnam introduced a pilot scheme for sports betting under Government Decree No. 06/2017/ND-CP, effective March 31, 2017. The decree marked the first time the state formally allowed wagering on certain sporting events, signaling a cautious shift in policy after decades of blanket prohibition (1).
Under the five-year pilot program, only horse racing, greyhound racing and FIFA-recognized international football matches may be offered for betting. Operators must meet strict criteria—including minimum charter capital of VND 1 trillion for football and horse racing (VND 300 billion for greyhound), age limits (21+), and per-day bet caps of VND 1 million (approx. US $44)—to be eligible (1).
"Betting means a kind of gambling where the gamblers predict the results of sport or entertaining events to place bets. Bettors who make a correct prediction shall be pay out in cash or in kind which may be converted into cash depending on the results of the event according to the betting rules."
In parallel, the Law on Special Excise Duty classifies sports betting as a taxable activity, imposing excise duties on operators’ gross revenue. This taxation framework underscores the government’s dual goals of regulating wagering and capturing revenue from a newly legal segment (2).
Source:
https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/EN/Doanh-nghiep/Decree-06-2017-ND-CP-businessf-betting-on-horse-racing-greyhound-racing-and-international-soccer/340208/tieng-anh.aspx
https://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/Law.aspx?ID1=2&MaVB_id=2403&ZID1=10
Last updated: 22-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
