HCMC — The Ministry of Finance has drafted a new decree to allow betting on international football matches organized by FIFA and its members, aiming to update existing regulations and improve oversight.
The draft replaces Decree 06/2017/ND-CP, which governs betting on horse racing, greyhound racing, and international football. The ministry said the current rules have become outdated after nearly eight years in effect.
Under the proposal, betting companies would be permitted to use results from foreign horse and greyhound races, instead of only those they organize. Football betting would cover tournaments held by FIFA and its member associations, not just those announced directly by FIFA.
The draft also proposes allowing betting via the Internet and mobile phones, which is currently banned. Operators must meet data security standards, store player information in Vietnam, and verify identities through bank or e-wallet accounts.
The ministry said digital betting would help authorities track money flows and enforce betting limits.
The proposal raises the maximum daily betting limit from VND1 million to VND10 million per person. Companies could decide their own betting periods instead of following fixed timeframes.
To qualify, firms must have at least VND1 trillion in charter capital, with foreign ownership capped at 49%. They must also contribute at least 10% of ticket revenue, after payouts, to the central budget in addition to taxes.
The ministry proposed allowing only one enterprise to pilot international football betting during the initial phase to control risks and gather experience before expanding the market.
The draft shortens the licensing process from 90 to 60 days and shifts from pre-licensing checks to post-operation inspections. Provincial governments would inspect betting operations after 12 months.
The Finance Ministry estimated that the pilot scheme could generate VND6.3 trillion in state revenue over five years. The new decree is expected to be submitted to the Government by the end of 2025.
