HCMC – The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has suggested that the Ministry of Finance extend the pilot scheme that allow Vietnamese people to enter casinos on Phu Quoc Island until January 7, 2025.
According to the province, the Corona Casino project on Phu Quoc has positively contributed to the province’s socioeconomic development.
The project, which had a total investment of VND50,000 billion, was approved by the prime minister in 2018.
The casino, which now employs 1,122 Vietnamese and 32 foreigners, is part of an ecotourism and entertainment complex operated by Phu Quoc Tourism Development and Investment JSC.
Since 2019, Corona Casino has welcomed 240,560 visitors, with 65% of them being Vietnamese, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
The business provided VND1,730 billion to the local budget. The revenues have been partially allocated to the Phu Quoc authorities for reinvestment in other development initiatives, said Nguyen Thanh Nhan, vice chairwoman of the Kien Giang People’s Committee.
According to the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam has nine casinos, the three largest ones being in Ho Tram (Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province), Hoi An (Quang Nam Province) and Phu Quoc.
Although both casinos on Phu Quoc and in Quang Ninh’s Van Don have been given permission to pilot welcoming Vietnamese customers until 2022, only Corona Casino on Phu Quoc now offers services to foreign and local gamblers.
Vietnamese casino-goers must be 21 years old or above, earn a minimum of VND10 million per month and have no objections from their families.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ministry had recommended extending the pilot scheme until 2024.
It also supported two other casino projects in February, one in Danang City and the other in the coastal province of Khanh Hoa.
