Vietnam ends locals casino trial at Phu Quoc’s Corona Resort

Vietnam’s trial allowing local citizens to gamble at the Corona Resort & Casino in Phu Quoc ended on December 31, 2024, as the government suspended the pilot program until further notice, effective from midnight on January 1, 2025.

The pilot program, launched in 2019, marked the first time Vietnamese citizens were permitted to gamble under strict conditions, including income thresholds and entry fees. Its initial purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of allowing locals to participate in casino gambling, a move aimed at stimulating economic growth and curbing outbound gambling activity.

Under the program, Vietnamese citizens needed to earn at least VND10 million ($400) per month and pay entry fees of VND1 million ($25) daily or VND25 million monthly. Although the pilot was originally slated to end in 2022, it was extended to account for disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corona Resort & Casino, the only venue authorized to host local players during the trial, stated that it would comply with the suspension and provide updates should the government revise the program. “We express our deepest gratitude to our customers and take pride in being the first enterprise authorized to pilot Vietnamese citizens playing at a casino,” the casino said.

The suspension does not affect foreign visitors, including Vietnamese nationals with foreign passports, who remain eligible to gamble at the resort.

The decision comes amid financial challenges for Corona Resort & Casino, which reported losses of VND300 billion ($12.7 million) in the first half of 2024. The losses were attributed to high depreciation, interest expenses, and a decline in local participation. However, Phu Quoc’s broader tourism sector continues to thrive, with the island projecting 6 million visitors in 2024, a 49% increase since 2019.

Phu Quoc has benefited from favorable visa policies and substantial tourism investments totaling VND388.41 trillion. Travel+Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler have both ranked the island among the top global travel destinations for 2025, further solidifying its reputation as a major tourist hub.

The trial’s conclusion leaves the future of local participation in Vietnam’s casino industry uncertain. A second approved venue under the program, located in Van Don, has yet to open, raising questions about the government’s long-term strategy.

Despite the setback, Corona Resort & Casino remains optimistic about the program’s potential reinstatement. “We firmly believe that, with proper adjustments, we will soon resume operations to serve our valued customers and partners,” the casino stated.