The Grand Ho Tram to Reap the Benefits of Local Gambling Expansion in Vietnam
The Grand Ho Tram integrated resort (IR) in Vietnam is set to benefit from a new phase of the government's gambling pilot program, which will permit Vietnamese citizens to participate in casino gaming under specific conditions. The initiative, proposed by the Ministry of Finance, would extend the country's initial experiment with local gambling by adding new venues to the trial, including Ho Tram and Van Don.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The announcement, as reported by Inside Asian Gaming, comes after the conclusion of the original five-year pilot program at the Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc Island earlier this year. That program, which began in January 2019, marked the first time Vietnamese citizens were legally permitted to gamble in a domestic casino. While it represented a significant policy shift, its overall impact was limited due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the relatively small number of local players on the tourist-focused island.
Related: Vietnam Proposal Would Expand Local Gambling Pilot, Add New ConditionsUnder the new proposal, The Grand Ho Tram will join the list of approved sites where locals can enter and gamble. The Ministry of Finance has suggested a five-year period beginning from the date of implementation, pending final approval from the Ministry of Justice and the Prime Minister. If confirmed, this development would position Ho Tram as the second operational casino in the country authorized to serve local patrons, following the conclusion of the Phu Quoc pilot.
Plans also include Van Don, a future casino project located in northern Vietnam. However, that venue is still in the early stages of development, having only recently received construction approval. Reports indicate the property is unlikely to open for at least seven years, leaving Ho Tram as the only immediately viable site for the expansion of the pilot program.
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Grand Ho Tram to Increase Market Position
The Grand Ho Tram, which opened in 2013, is located in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and is one of Vietnam's largest IRs. The property already attracts a mix of international visitors and domestic tourists due to its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City. The ability to admit local gamblers is expected to strengthen its position in the market and provide a more stable revenue stream compared with the heavy reliance on foreign customers that has traditionally defined Vietnam's casino sector.
Reports from Vietnamese-language media suggest that changes to entry requirements may also form part of the updated program. Instead of requiring proof of income for entry, which was previously set at a minimum of VND10 million per month, the new structure would impose an access fee. The fee is expected to be set at VND2.5 million (US$100) for each 24-hour period of entry, or VND50 million (US$2,000) for a monthly pass.
The expansion of the pilot program to include Ho Tram underscores Vietnam's cautious but evolving approach toward casino gaming. The government has historically restricted local access due to concerns about problem gambling and social impacts, but the new policy framework suggests a willingness to test regulated participation in a controlled environment.
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