Publication date: 01 Jul 2025
Think Vietnam is just palm-leaf hats and elderly fishermen in boats? Think again. Beneath the chaotic rhythm of endless motorcycles and Southeast Asian hustle lies one of the liveliest gambling markets on Earth. Adventure-seeking is embedded in Vietnamese blood, and bypassing regulations to reach casinos and betting shops is ingrained in the national psyche. Therefore, traffic will always abound. You just need to know where and how to tap into it! In our new review on 3S.INFO, we’ll explore how to direct traffic to online betting and gambling in Vietnam.
How Are Gambling Activities Regulated in Vietnam?
Vietnam is a country where regulations are strict, but reality finds clever ways to circumvent bureaucracy.
What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Vietnam?
Gambling in Vietnam is governed by strict laws, though exceptions apply to specific projects.
Main Law: Decree No. 03/2017/ND-CP (with amendments) allows gambling only for foreigners in designated zones.
Permitted Formats: Integrated Resort Casinos (Corona Phu Quoc, Hoiana, Grand Ho Tram) and bookmakers (Sports betting only through licensed betting points).
Exceptions: Since 2019, a pilot program allows Vietnamese citizens to enter Corona Phu Quoc and Hoiana casinos with certain conditions: entry fee (approximately $50/day), proof of income (minimum $430/month).
Online Gambling: Formally prohibited (Article 321 of the Criminal Code), but players circumvent blocks and use international sites (1xBet, Bet365) without Vietnamese licensure.
Penalties for Violating Gambling Laws in Vietnam:
- Operators: Fines up to 5 billion VND (~$200,000) for unauthorized gambling operations; up to 10 years imprisonment for money laundering.
- Players: Fines ranging from 10 to 50 million VND (~$400–$2,000) for participating in illegal casinos; bank account suspension if suspected of online betting.
Regulatory Authorities (organization of betting and gambling) in Vietnam:
- MOF (Bộ Tài chính Việt Nam / Ministry of Finance): The authority that divides the pie — licenses, taxes, audits, and regulations. If you’re not aligned with them, you’re out of the game.
- MIC (Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông / Ministry of Information and Communications): Bans mirror sites, blocks websites, and combats Telegram bots (often ineffectively).
- Local Committees: Monitor local areas, construction, and order. Some look the other way, while others demand “bonuses” for silence.
How to Obtain a Vietnamese Gambling License?
Dreaming of opening a casino? Prepare your bags of money and diplomas!
- Capital: $2 billion minimum capital requirement (real funds, not virtual). Prove 50% at the start; banks, lawyers, and certifications are mandatory.
- Only through a SPV (local legal entity).
- Betting License: $300–1,000 billion VND ($12–40 million USD), but proof of solvency is required.
- Management: Not a hobbyist, but professionals with degrees in Economics, Finance, Law, or MBA, and at least one year of relevant experience.
- GEO: Only in authorized zones (resorts and SEZs). Otherwise, forget about obtaining a license!
Currently, there is no publicly available registry of licenses. Lists of casinos and betting facilities are found only in reviews or through local attorneys.
Obtaining approval is a lengthy quest spanning years.
Casino and Offshore Betting Leaders in Vietnam
Vietnam is gradually developing its gambling industry, offering both local establishments and large integrated resorts.
- Corona Resort & Casino: Located on Phu Quoc Island, it became the first pilot project for locals, launched in 2019. Initially catering to domestic visitors, it later welcomed foreign tourists.
- Hoiana Resort & Casino in Quang Nam Province: Positioned as Vietnam’s largest integrated resort with international-standard amenities, including golf courses, luxury hotels, and beaches.
- The Grand Ho Tram Strip: Called the flagship not only of Vietnam, but also of the entire Southeast Asia. It is frequented by tourists seeking coastal relaxation paired with gambling.
- Silver Shores Casino: In Da Nang, catering to VIP guests with luxurious apartments. Do Son Casino: Oldest casino in Haiphong, retaining vintage charm.
According to the Blask service (July 2025), the top 10 brands operating in Vietnam’s gambling market include:
- 188BET;
- 789bet;
- Sunwin;
- W88;
- M88;
- HitClub;
- 798.club;
- Fun88;
- bJ88;
- FB88.
Tax Burden for Casinos and Bookmakers in Vietnam
Casinos pay a special tax of 35% on their GGR, while bookmakers pay 5% on turnover. The corporate tax rate is 20% on profit.
Tax on Players: 10% tax on winnings above 10 million VND (~$400 USD).
How Are Illegal Sites Blocked in Vietnam?
- Vietnamese users are not looking for easy ways: Telegram Bots, Mirror Links, Mobile Apps (commonly accessed via TestFlight or .apk through Telegram).
- Tor and Proxies: Used mainly by experienced users.
The MIC blocks sites, but players swiftly switch to new mirrors within minutes.
How Do Casinos and Bookmakers Attract Players in Vietnam?
Here, a man in a street-side café debates betting strategies on “Liverpool” and “Barcelona” quicker than a Grab driver delivers your pho to your doorstep! Vietnam isn’t just rice paddies anymore. It’s a new tiger of Southeast Asia where:
- Official Name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
- Population: 100.3 million residents.
- Median Age: 33 years old, with 37% under 25.
- Urban Population: 62%. Major cities include: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon, 9 million downtown, 21 million metro area) — the economic heart of the country with a bustling business life; Hanoi (8.5 million in the city, 20 million metro area) is the capital with millennial history and French colonial charm mixed with Asian culture; Da Nang — key port city and tourist destination with beautiful beaches. Other significant cities: Haiphong (northern industrial and maritime hub), Can Tho (floating markets in the Mekong Delta), Nha Trang (luxury resort town).
- Language: Vietnamese (written in Latin script).
- Currency: Dong (VND).
- Religion: 81% follow local cults, 9% Buddhist, 7% Catholic.
- Internet Penetration: 85.7% have mobile internet, 78% urban households have wired Internet, over 70 million are smartphone users.
Who Gambles in Vietnam?
The core audience consists of males aged 25–45 (80% of players), preferring sports betting, especially live stakes and esports. Female players (20%) mostly opt for slots and live casinos, with their share gradually increasing due to mobile platforms.
Finances:
- Monthly income ranges from $400–800, with an average session deposit of $30–100.
- Geography: 62% reside in major cities (Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Danang); 38% from rural areas with fewer entertainment alternatives.
Behavioral Traits:
- Channels: Telegram prediction groups, TikTok memes about betting, mobile apps (average 3–5 installed per user).
- Tech-Savvy: Expertise in circumventing blocks, using crypto for anonymous payments, mobile wallets (MoMo, ZaloPay).
- Hooks: Quick free bets, live-streamed matches with instant betting, local tournaments.
- Importance: This generation is digitally native, valuing speed, transparency, and gamification. Hype formats (short videos, chatbots) outperform traditional banner ads.
Favorite Games and Bets Among Vietnamese Players?
Top 5 Online Slots*:
- Aviator (Spribe): Trending across Southeast Asia, known for quick money and express emotions.
- Book of Ra (Novomatic): A classic loved by generations.
- Starburst (NetEnt): Appeals to both females and older players.
- Dragon Power Flame (Joker Gaming): Chinese-inspired design tailored for Vietnamese taste.
- Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play): Bright, colorful, and often seen in TikTok top charts.
*Vietnam Online Gambling Market Size Share Report 2025-2033.
Popular Sports and Bets:
- Football: V.League 1, national team, EPL, Champions League.
- Esports: Dota 2, League of Legends, CS:GO.
Teams and Stars Driving the Vietnamese Market:
- Vietnamese National Team: Victories spark waves of betting across the country!
- Hanoi FC: Most decorated club.
- Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC: A breeding ground for young talent.
- Nguyen Quang Hai: A true hero whose goals boost both mood and betting activity.
- Nguyen Cong Phuong: Celebrity, blogger, and Instagram star.
- Trần “Divkid” Đức Anh (SBTC Esports, LoL): Young-generation influencer, frequently mentioned in Telegram prediction chats.
- Nguyễn “Zeref” Minh Nhật (496 Gaming, Dota 2): His forecasts and memes spread faster than any TikTok trend.
How to Promote Casinos and Bookmakers in Vietnam: A Guide for Those Looking to Stay in the Loop
Vietnam isn’t about dull landing pages and random banners. Creativity, localization, and knowledge of where real traffic resides are the keys to success here. If you want to generate profit – not just waste money – catch the best strategies and practical tools!
Vietnam Checklist for Media Buyers:
(Print and Hang Near Your Workspace!)
- Establish a Vietnamese Telegram Account: Purchase or activate using a local SIM (Vietnamobile, Viettel, MobiFone).
- Test VPNs and Fresh Mirrors: Install at least 2 VPN services and monitor active domain lists.
- Create Content and Creatives in Vietnamese: Deep localization, human touch — not Google Translate.
- Expand Your Arsenal: TikTok, Zalo, Facebook (for groups, stories, challenges, live streams). The social network Facebook is blocked in Russia by a court decision.
- Launch a Telegram Bot: Offer bonuses and mirrors to collect leads and attract the hottest prospects.
- Build Communities in Zalo/Cốc Cốc: Engage active audiences ready for offers.
- Monitor Payments via Local Wallets/Crypto: Momo, ZaloPay, USDT — a must have!
- Catch Prime Hours: Optimize stories and mailings for peak times (8pm–midnight GMT+7).
- Collaborate with Local Influencers: Even microbloggers (<10k followers) drive substantial traffic!
- Track Latest Slot/Sports Trends: Aviator, Sweet Bonanza, V.League 1 — always in demand.
- Experiment with Airdrop, NFT Stickers, Interactive Content: Vietnamese love novelty and hype.
- Stay Alert on New Blockings: Subscribe to Telegram profiles and forums for updates.
Top 5 Influencers, Chats, and Communities for Gambling/Betting in Vietnam
(Note: Influencers often operate in the “grey area” and rarely disclose their identities openly. Approach respectfully and propose collaborations tactfully!)
We recommend starting with integrating into chat groups, conducting small collaborations, launching free marathons, and dropping free bets. This is where traffic heats up and converts into real registrations, not just passive scrolling through creatives.
Payment Methods for Casinos and Bookmakers in Vietnam
- Momo, ZaloPay, ViettelPay — local e-wallets through which the majority of deposits are processed.
- International Cards: Often processed through shadow gateways; direct processing rare.
- Crypto (USDT, BTC): Must-have for offshore sites, enabling fast deposits and withdrawals anonymously.
- Qiwi, Jeton: Legal for affiliate schemes, fast, convenient, and familiar.
Vietnam isn’t just about coffee and lotuses! It’s a vast ocean of mobile and Telegram traffic where media buyers, SEO gurus, and advertisers alike can ride the wave and his “big win”. The key is flexibility, blending creatives with local flavor, and fearlessly testing new channels.
Want to catch the trend first? Upgrade your Telegram, pump up your TikTok traffic, and remember: bonuses, free bets, and native content are the secret ingredients to success in Vietnam! We’ve prepared a hot list for you: top offers where casinos and bookmakers welcome Vietnamese traffic!
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