Over the past few years, Vietnam — once a “silent player” — has quietly emerged on Asia’s gambling map. While it hasn’t embraced the industry as openly as the Philippines did, nor does it have the casino legacy of Macau, few expected that in just 3–4 years, Vietnam would become a surprising engine of gambling growth. Despite clear legal bans on iGaming, the reality is obvious: prohibition ≠ absence. Vietnam’s iGaming scene in recent years has been like a pot of hot soup covered with a lid — boiling quietly, but definitely active beneath the surface.

Today, the TC-Gaming White Label editorial team takes a closer look: After a period of high-speed growth and bonuses, where is Vietnam’s gambling market headed post-2025?

Current Landscape of Vietnam’s Gambling Market

Vietnam's gambling scene is marked by sharp polarization: iGaming remains officially banned but thrives in underground markets, while land-based gambling is cautiously regulated and slowly being liberalized. The government’s approach is crystal clear — slow release, tight control, but not a complete shutdown. Instead of making bold and sweeping changes, Vietnam is testing waters carefully, using “small-step exploration and grey-zone advancement” to find a regulatory balance. It’s all about maintaining order while quietly unlocking gambling’s economic potential — without letting the pot boil over.

• Online: It is still prohibited by law, but the online gambling market has already taken shape, and may be tested in small ways through national apps;
• Offline: The pace of opening up has slowed down and the Vietnamese authorities have become more conservative towards locals, but high-end foreign investment projects are still welcomed by the Vietnamese authorities;

Vietnam’s Land-Based Gambling Market

When it comes to land-based casinos, Vietnam continues to implement a “liberalize–monitor–adjust” strategy. Some new projects are being initiated, while others are being halted — a clear example of the government’s “one hand open, one hand closed” approach.

Local Access Pilot Program Terminated

In 2019, Vietnam launched its first and only pilot program allowing Vietnamese nationals to gamble legally at the Corona Casino on Phu Quoc Island. The pilot ran for 5 years under close supervision. However, on December 31, 2024, the Ministry of Finance announced it would not renew the program.

1. The official reasons were explained as: insufficient policy effectiveness, high regulatory costs, and the existence of social risks.
2. This move means that Vietnam’s policy of opening casinos to locals will basically be “withdrawn” in the short term, and future opening will require more serious considerations.

Yet, Foreign Investment Is Still Encouraged

Despite the retreat in local access, Vietnam’s government is actively promoting new foreign-led projects. In January 2025, reports confirmed that the Ministry of Finance and the Quang Ninh Provincial Government have revived the proposal to build the Van Don Integrated Resort, a comprehensive casino and entertainment complex.

1. Estimated investment: $2 billion
2. Features: casino, hotel, golf course, and full-service entertainment facilities
3. Target market: international tourists and high-net-worth individuals

The return of this proposal signals the government’s intent to create new economic growth drivers through gambling, even if it remains conservative toward domestic participation.

Vietnam’s Land-Based Casino Landscape

1. Vietnam currently has around 9 legal land-based casinos, primarily located in Da Nang, Quang Ninh, Hue, and Phu Quoc Island.
2. Most of these casinos are tied to high-end resorts or special economic zone (SEZ) projects, primarily driven by tourism.
3. The Vietnamese government's strategy leans toward building a “SEZ pilot + foreign joint ventures + high-net-worth clientele” closed-loop ecosystem.

Vietnam’s Underground Gambling Scene

1. Illegal betting operations are rampant, especially in rural areas. These operate through motorbike couriers, telephone betting, and private bank transfers.
2. The most popular bets include Europe’s top 5 football leagues, NBA, and esports. During major sports events, temporary betting stations are set up in bars, karaoke lounges, and private clubs, where a single night can see tens of millions of USD in wagers.
3. “Electronic slot machines” or “mini casinos” use tokens or virtual points to bypass regulation. In Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, many claw machine arcades secretly operate as gambling venues.

Vietnam’s iGaming Status Quo

Vietnamese law strictly prohibits local residents from participating in any form of iGaming, including sports betting, lotteries, and casino-style games. Only a very limited number of state-authorized platforms are allowed to offer sports betting online — and even then, they are restricted to foreign tourists or specific licensed settings. Local citizens are not legally allowed to participate. However, this hasn’t stopped the iGaming market from thriving — in fact, it has only grown stronger under the surface.

Vietnam’s iGaming Ecosystem Has Quietly Taken Shape

1. A large number of iGaming operations run via Telegram, Zalo, and Facebook groups.
2. Locals bypass restrictions using VPNs to access gambling websites, and they place bets using cryptocurrency or third-party payment apps like Momo and ZaloPay.
3. USDT, Momo wallets, and bank card middlemen are commonly used to circumvent payment regulations.
4. Vietnam has a vibrant underground agent ecosystem, with many locals acting as sports betting brokers or lottery agents, luring bettors into social groups and earning commissions from rebates or rake percentages.
5. App stores are filled with “mini-games with disguised gambling mechanics,” like “match-3 for red packets” or “scratch-and-win” games.

iGaming Market Size Estimates

1. According to public reports from VnExpress and Thanh Nien, Vietnam’s underground gambling market was estimated to be worth over $10 billion USD in 2023.
2. Underground lottery systems (non-state-issued number lotteries) reportedly see daily betting volumes in the millions of USD.

Vietnam’s Subtle Stance Toward iGaming

1. Publicly, the government continues to crack down on illegal platforms, strengthening internet monitoring and technical oversight.
2. Behind the scenes, however, there are signs of change. In late 2024, the Ministry of Finance proposed research into establishing a regulatory framework for iGaming — a hint that gray-to-white market conversion may be explored in the future.

TC Gaming editor makes a bold guess: Although the probability of full liberalization in the next 1-3 years is not high, government-supported lottery apps and sports betting apps may become a testbed for digital gambling. It is expected that in the future, there may be a gambling pilot platform similar to "official cooperation + closed system + real-name system" to balance the tug-of-war between demand and regulation.

Speculative Outlook by TC-Gaming White Label

Speculative Outlook by TC-Gaming White Label TC-Gaming White Label boldly predicts: although the chances of full liberalization in the next 1–3 years are slim, state-backed lottery apps or sports betting apps may emerge as pilot programs for digital gambling. These would likely follow a model of “government joint operation + closed system + real-name registration”, aimed at balancing market demand with regulatory control.

Demographics and Preferences of Vietnamese Gambling Players

The primary audience for gambling in Vietnam consists of males aged 25 to 40, particularly urban migrant workers, small-scale vendors, taxi drivers, and e-commerce workers. University students also participate, especially during major events like the World Cup and national team matches.

Gambling is primarily conducted via iGaming, often coordinated through Zalo or Telegram groups, where agents provide odds and payment support. Common payment methods include Momo, ZaloPay, and cryptocurrency.

Behavioral Traits

1. Strong preference for fast money and excitement; many bet in hopes of a quick turnaround or to buy something like a new phone
2. Emotion-driven betting is common – some treat losing as casually as treating others to a meal; winning is celebrated in the same way
3. Addiction is widespread, with many borrowing money just to gamble
4. Social influence is powerful – sharing bet slips in friend circles is a highly effective recruitment method

Gambling Preferences Among Vietnamese Players

sports betting

By far the most popular form of gambling in Vietnam, sports betting accounts for over 60% of the entire underground gambling market. It is especially dominant during events such as the World Cup, UEFA Euro, and Southeast Asian Games, when the betting frenzy sweeps across the nation – affecting even ordinary citizens and university students.

Sports betting often requires a VPN to access overseas platforms, with bets placed through Zalo or Telegram groups. Agents assist with odds updates, fund transfers, and game explanations. The core demographic remains males aged 20–40. For many Vietnamese men, football and betting have become a daily social activity.

1. Match result (1X2)
2. Over/Under (Total Goals)
3. Asian Handicap
4. Number of Corner Kicks
5. Parlay/Accumulator Bets

Lottery

Lottery-type gambling is one of the most widely embraced forms of gambling in Vietnam, cutting across all urban and rural demographics. It has evolved into a daily habit for many due to its low entry cost, frequent draws, and simple rules, making it the go-to form of casual entertainment.

Key characteristics:

1. Simple format: Pick numbers, bet on the outcome, with fixed payout ratios
2. Ubiquitous presence: Found in cities, towns, and even remote villages
3. Broad participant base: Young people, middle-aged adults, even housewives and retirees regularly play
4. Discreet distribution: Bets are placed via referrals, paper slips, Zalo group orders, and even voice messages – all offering high privacy

Slot machine

Slot machine-style gambling performs strongly among Vietnam’s younger users, often disguised as casual games or entertainment apps. These apps sometimes masquerade as ordinary applications on Android platforms, serving as major entry points for iGaming platforms. Users are primarily aged 18–35, with mobile phones as the primary device. TC-Gaming White Label’s Telegram channel regularly publishes monthly rankings of top slot machine games in the Vietnamese market. Interested parties are welcome to join the TC-Gaming Telegram group for more insights.

Fishing, Dou Dizhu, and Niu Niu: Moderately Popular but Highly Addictive iGaming Genres

In Vietnam, iGaming categories like card-based gambling aren’t necessarily the most popular, but they’re definitely not niche either. One standout is fishing games — visually explosive and reminiscent of arcade-style gameplay. When a player hits a jackpot, the whole screen fills with coins and explosions, delivering a rush that appeals especially to younger audiences. It’s easy to get hooked — what starts as “just a quick game” often turns into hours of play. These titles are frequently used on platforms for new user acquisition and engagement due to their stickiness and viral nature.

Live Dealer Gambling: Moderate Popularity, High Spending Power

Live dealer gambling doesn’t currently dominate the Vietnamese market, but in major cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, it's favored by middle-to-high-income players and veteran gamblers seeking a change of pace. Games like live baccarat, dragon tiger, and roulette attract this audience. While the number of users may not rival other forms of iGaming like lottery or slots, the wagering volume per user is just as significant — if not higher.

Vietnam's Internet Landscape (2025)

Population & Digital Infrastructure

1. Total population: ~101 million
2. Urbanization rate: 40.5% urban, 59.5% rural
3. Internet users: 79.8 million (78.8% of total population)
4. Social media users: 76.2 million (75.2% of total population)
5. Mobile connections: 127 million (126% of population)

Age Distribution

• 0–4 years: 6.8%
• 5–12 years: 12.7%
• 13-17 years old: 7.8–17 years: 7.8%
• 18–24 years: 9.2%
• 25–34 years: 14.4%
• 35–44 years: 16.3%
• 45–54 years: 12.7%
• 55–64 years: 10.4%
• 65+ years: 9.5%
• Median age: 33.4 years

Connection Speeds:

• Mobile networks (4G/5G): Median download speed – 75.72 Mbps
• Fixed broadband: Median download speed – 153.99 Mbps
• Both speeds have increased by over 45% YoY

Social Media Usage

• Social platform users: 76.2 million
• Coverage: 95.4% of internet users
• Gender breakdown: 51.2% female, 48.8% male
• Growth trend: +3.5 million users YoY (+4.8%)

Usage of Major Social Media Platforms (Early 2025)

Trends in Vietnam’s Social Media and Internet Use

1. Mobile-first usage: Mobile phones are the primary way to access the internet. Mobile broadband penetration is close to 100%.
2. High social media penetration: Almost every internet user in Vietnam uses at least one social media platform.
3. Youth-driven: The core digital demographic is aged between 25 and 44.
4. Zalo dominance: Zalo functions as a mix of WeChat, Enterprise WeChat, and public service platforms, deeply integrating into daily life across all age groups and scenarios. It’s the top preferred app by far.
5. Facebook & YouTube: These remain dominant platforms.
6. LinkedIn & X: Lower usage, mainly among professionals and urban users.

Summary

After years of extreme polarization — underground heat and aboveground chill — Vietnam’s gambling market has entered a more complex yet increasingly predictable phase. Based on current trends, TC-Gaming White Label predicts that the next three years will be shaped by a three-way tug-of-war between regulation, capital, and user demand. Offline growth will rely on foreign investment, while online will depend on innovation. Players, meanwhile, are becoming a generation of digital natives oscillating between “everyday entertainment” and the thrill of gambling.

iGaming: Legalization Unlikely, But “Gray-to-White” Transformation Is Possible

Though current Vietnamese laws explicitly prohibit iGaming, the underground market is highly developed. Telegram and Zalo betting groups are everywhere, and the “VPN + USDT” wagering model has become a default method accepted by the masses.

1. Legalization isn’t on the near horizon, but closed pilot platforms may be explored — such as digital lottery or sports betting apps.
2. Regulation will become more technology-driven: real-name payment tracing, platform-level content moderation, IP tracking, etc.
3. Hybrid models involving virtual currencies, social platforms, and mini-games will expand further — iGaming in Vietnam will continue growing under pressure.
4. Government-backed joint platforms (like state-approved lottery apps) may emerge as a new window for both regulatory testing and government revenue generation.

Land-Based Gambling: Local Access Blocked, Foreign Investment Leads Growth

With the Phu Quoc trial allowing local residents into casinos now terminated, there is no longer hope for locals supporting the land-based gambling scene. Vietnam’s focus for offline gambling will be “serving international wallets” and aggressively promoting foreign-led casino projects.

1. Local player participation will remain strictly restricted, with no pilot projects expected to return within the next three years.
2. New or rebooted integrated casino resorts will be a priority for government-backed development.
3. “Tourism-driven gambling” will deepen — bundling casinos with visas, tourism zones, and luxury hotel clusters.
4. High-net-worth individuals, especially foreign tourists, will be the primary service targets for Vietnam’s offline gambling sector.
5. The concept of gambling special economic zones may be adopted in the medium to long term.

User Profile Shift: From “Traditional Gamblers” to “Entertainment + Gray Investment Players”

Currently, Vietnamese gamblers are predominantly men aged 25–40, driven by motives like “making a comeback” or “relieving stress.” But with improvements in internet infrastructure, growing digital adoption, and rising incomes, player motivations and behaviors are changing. Users are evolving from impulsive gamblers to day-to-day players who rely on data and emotional cues.

1. Urban users will account for a growing share — especially in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, which are becoming the core hubs of the gray gambling economy.
2. High-frequency, low-stake users will rise. Bite-sized games like scratch cards, slots, and casual mini-games are better suited for mobile consumption.
3. Gambling will trend toward “light investment” — USDT betting, data-based wagering, and predictive models will attract broader acceptance.
4. Female players will increase, particularly in digital lotteries and social-style gambling games like mini-games and group raffles.
5. While risk awareness is improving, most users still lack financial planning and self-discipline, and are highly susceptible to group influence and short-term dopamine triggers.

As a leading white label iGaming provider with years of industry experience, TC-Gaming White Label has always stayed at the forefront of the industry. Whether you’re launching a standard platform or need a fully customized one, TC-Gaming offers a one-stop solution — sites can go live in as little as 10 minutes. We also track the latest developments in the Vietnamese and Southeast Asian markets, including regulatory shifts, user behavior trends, and tech innovations.

Though competition in Vietnam is intense, the market’s untapped potential remains vast. With hands-on experience and local market insight, TC-Gaming can tailor iGaming solutions that are policy-aware and user-fit. Whether you’re testing the waters or looking for the next big growth opportunity, contact us to access in-depth market reports and execution strategies. With TC-Gaming White Label, you can play the Vietnam game smart, steady, and set yourself up to win — for the long term.