- September 12, 2025
Vietnam Gambling In 2026: Approaching A Legalization Turning Point
If we ask which Southeast Asian country’s iGaming market has been the most “misunderstood” in recent years, the answer from the TC-Gaming team would definitely be—Vietnam. Vietnam’s gambling market is not “yet to start”; in fact, it has long existed—just without an official legal status. From the early days of digital lotteries, to offline gambling agents, and now the proliferation of Telegram groups and Vietnamese-language iGaming platforms, the entire gambling ecosystem in Vietnam is already complete. It has simply been operating at the “edge of legality.”
In August 2025, Quang Ninh Province’s Van Don Economic Zone officially approved a casino resort that allows local residents to participate. The developer behind it is Sun Group. On the surface, this looks like just another land-based project approval, but in reality, it sends a very strong policy signal—this is the first time the Vietnamese government has publicly acknowledged the legitimacy and economic value of “local participation in gambling.” For iGaming operators who have already been cultivating the Vietnamese market, this is undoubtedly a loud and clear signal.
The TC-Gaming team believes that Vietnam’s gambling market is shifting from “underground popularity” toward a “policy transition.” Today, Vietnam has a mature user base, widespread mobile payment adoption, solid internet infrastructure, and a strong need for local government revenue. Every condition points to one common trend: gambling legalization in Vietnam is approaching. And for iGaming, official recognition may be just one step away. So, for iGaming operators who are considering the Vietnamese market, the question is: should you continue to wait until Vietnam’s gambling policies are clearly defined? Or should you take advantage of the current stage, before competition becomes overheated, to establish yourself as one of the first “native brands” in Vietnam’s legalization era?
And for those iGaming platforms that have already been running in Vietnam for several years, it’s also time to start thinking—how can you play the game more steadily, and last longer? That’s why today, the TC-Gaming team wants to share some thoughts with industry leaders on Vietnam’s gambling market, the possible upcoming changes, and how this may reshape the iGaming landscape in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam iGaming Market Size and Growth Trends
- iGaming TodayAccording to the iGaming Today report, Vietnam’s iGaming market (including iGaming, casino, and lottery) is growing rapidly. In 2025, total gambling revenue is expected to reach approximately USD 1.66 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 9.77%. By 2029, it is projected to climb to USD 2.42 billion.
- IMARC analysis also shows that Vietnam’s iGaming market is expected to grow at a 10.8% CAGR during 2025–2033, driven by improvements in internet speed and upgraded user experience technologies.
Vietnam’s Gambling Landscape and User Behavior
From a legal perspective, iGaming is not officially open in Vietnam. However, in terms of user behavior and actual market activity, gambling participation has already become deeply integrated into the daily lives of the Vietnamese public, and the market scale is considerable. Even though iGaming is not legalized, participation remains widespread.
Vietnamese-Language Gambling Platforms Are Widely Available
Although there are no official licenses, numerous platforms have been active in the Vietnamese market for years, almost all featuring complete Vietnamese interfaces and customer support systems. Most of these platforms rely on white label iGaming solutions provided by outsourcing companies in Southern Vietnam, while operating on a cross-border traffic model. They attract users mainly through the following channels:
- Telegram groups: enticing players with phrases like “invite friends to get free credits” or “higher rebate with insider odds.”
- Facebook local promotions: using entertainment videos, football betting tips, and lottery strategies as content to draw traffic.
- Zalo one-on-one conversions: once users add customer service on Zalo, they can directly access the full “deposit–betting–withdrawal” process.
- Independent Vietnamese websites/Apps: platforms often use non-mainstream domains (.club, .live, .vip, etc.) to publish access links.
The range of games offered includes live casino, sports betting, slot machines, card games, and lottery—essentially covering the same categories as licensed gambling platforms.
Payment Methods of Vietnamese iGaming Players
Due to the lack of legal platforms, Vietnamese iGaming players generally use VPNs to access overseas iGaming sites. The financial transactions of Vietnamese iGaming users mainly rely on the following methods:
- Local e-wallets (such as MoMo, ZaloPay) transferring funds to agent accounts;
- Using secondary transfer paths like Zalo/VNPay to top up platform credit accounts;
- Setting up fake Apps or game credit stores as payment intermediaries to bypass bank supervision;
- Manual fund handling: some frequent players even have a “dedicated top-up service representative.”
iGaming Preferences in Vietnam: Lottery + Slots + Poker + Football as the Mainstream
Based on long-term observations by TC-Gaming White Label editors and feedback from multiple iGaming platforms, Vietnamese players’ preferences show a high concentration, especially in the following categories:
| Type | How to play | Popular Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Lottery | Traditional xổ số, self-pick numbers (lô đề), online lottery, etc. | Deep historical foundation, high level of public participation, and low threshold |
| Slot Machines | Various video slots, jackpot pool slots, multi-line/classic slots | Exciting visuals, diverse gameplay, easy to start, quick payouts |
| Local Poker Games | Three Card Poker, Three Card Poker, Three Card Poker | High familiarity, fast-paced gameplay |
| Sports Betting | Mainly the five major European leagues, covering basketball, e-sports, etc. | Strong football culture, flexible odds, convenient mobile betting |
Additionally, a small portion of young users have started trying out eSports betting as a more “international” option, but overall, traditional and highly localized categories remain the mainstream.
Why Have Slot Machines Become Mainstream?
An article from Asia Gaming Brief notes that Vietnam's gaming industry is approaching saturation, with an oversupply of slot machines and increasing competition. These statistics suggest that, despite online gambling not being legal, the market for slot machines is undeniable.
- Platform proactive push: Most platforms have slot machines on their homepages and banner recommendations, indicating high conversion rates and strong user acceptance.
- Low threshold for operation and fast return on investment: Compared with real-person games or lotteries, slot games have standardized gameplay structures, low costs, and fast launch, making them the main monetization project for most platforms;
- Improved player awareness: Young Vietnamese players are becoming more accepting of slots year by year, no longer viewing them as "exclusive to casinos";
- Rich content and diverse themes: Local platforms often launch new slot games with animation, mythology, and wealth themes to cater to young aesthetics and light gambling needs.
Does Vietnam Have the Conditions to “Open Up iGaming”?
The legalization of gambling has never been just a matter of “policy.” It also requires market conditions to be mature. According to TC-Gaming, if we look at payment systems, internet infrastructure, user demographics, and economic drivers, Vietnam today already has relatively fertile ground for the development of iGaming. The real obstacle does not lie in technology or the market, but in when policy will loosen—and how much.
A Vibrant Local Payment Ecosystem
Currently, Vietnam’s local e-wallet ecosystem is highly developed. Payment tools such as MoMo, ZaloPay, ShopeePay, and VNPay have become everyday essentials for young consumers. According to Statista, by 2024 Vietnam had more than 60 million e-wallet users, accounting for nearly 60% of the total population. Even in the gray iGaming ecosystem, processes based on MoMo + ZaloPay—such as “agent top-up + points exchange”—are already common.
High Internet Penetration: Mobile Phones as the Main Entry Point
According to the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam, by the end of 2024, mobile internet penetration had exceeded 77%, with more than 95% of users accessing via mobile phones. As a result, most iGaming users in Vietnam “play directly on their phones.” At the same time, apps like TikTok, Facebook, and Telegram have extremely high penetration—explaining why most iGaming platforms prioritize a “social media traffic funnel + Zalo conversion” strategy.
Tourism + Gambling: A “Fiscal Combo” for Local Governments
Vietnam’s gambling policy has always followed a “controlled opening” path, but local governments are relatively positive toward gambling—especially in regions where tourism plays a large economic role. Tourist zones such as Phu Quoc, Quang Ninh, and Da Nang have frequently introduced “resorts with gambling facilities” in their investment policies. This is not accidental but reflects a pragmatic understanding that “gambling = high spending = high tax revenue.” The underlying logic is to use gambling to drive tourism, the MICE economy, and local fiscal income.
Consumption Upgrade: The Rise of the Middle Class is Redefining Entertainment Preferences
According to research from Vietnam Briefing, by 2026 Vietnam’s middle-class population will account for 26% of the total, nearly double the 13% in 2023. The growth of the middle class means more people have “disposable income” to spend on entertainment and experiential consumption. Gambling—especially Gaming products such as lottery, slots, and sports betting—fits perfectly with Vietnam’s current shifts in consumption structure.
Possible Paths for Vietnam’s iGaming Legalization
Although Vietnam has not yet released clear policies on iGaming, considering recent regulatory moves, fiscal demands, and market realities, the TC-Gaming white label team believes three possible paths may emerge as either a starting point or transitional phase for legalization.
Path One: Regional Pilot Program
Similar to the Van Don Casino, the “regional pilot” model is likely to be expanded. In special tourism zones such as Quang Ninh Province, Phu Quoc Island, and Da Nang, local governments have shown relatively open attitudes toward gambling. If small-scale pilots are allowed—such as limited participation of local residents plus restricted Gaming services—it would not necessarily contradict central policy. By letting local zones experiment first and gradually assess the impact, the government can later decide whether to promote it nationwide. If by late 2026 or early 2027 similar projects appear in other Vietnamese regions, it would confirm that this path has been initiated.
Path Two: Lottery and Sports Betting First
Vietnam already has a legal lottery system, with products like xổ số and lô đề deeply rooted among the public. If the government wants to push iGaming legalization, the most accessible entry point would be digital lottery and sports betting.
These formats face relatively low social controversy. The Ministry of Finance has openly discussed plans to expand lottery products. Therefore, starting with state-run digital lotteries plus limited sports betting would be the lowest-cost policy option.
Related News:
In 2021, the Vietnamese government approved the "National Sports Betting Pilot Program"
- As early as March 17, 2017, the Vietnamese government passed Decree No. 06/2017/ND-CP, which for the first time explicitly allowed sports betting (mainly football matches) to be carried out under state supervision;
- Later, in 2021, the Ministry of Finance approved a sports betting pilot project led by the Vietnam National Lottery Corporation (Vietlott), the only government-approved sports betting operating entity in Vietnam.
Current Status of Sports Betting in Vietnam: Only Limited Events Allowed
- According to regulations, the legal scope of betting is restricted only to international football events such as the World Cup and the European Championship, with the Ministry of Finance designating the list of events each year.
- The daily betting limit per player is 1 million Vietnamese dong (around USD 40), which is extremely low.
- No agents are allowed, no private capital can be involved, and physical betting shops are prohibited (only official outlets or online entry points are permitted).
- Online betting channels are not open to everyone and can only be accessed through the Vietlott official system, which has many technical restrictions and very weak promotion.
Although Vietnam has indeed attempted to promote a state-level sports betting system, due to restrictions on events, low betting limits, and limited play options (no odds market, no live betting, no multiple betting lines), most users still choose to use VPNs to connect to overseas iGaming platforms for gambling activities.
Scenario Three: Continued Crackdown on Illegal Activities, Legalization Delayed
Of course, Vietnam may also continue its current policy, maintaining a strict stance against iGaming, focusing on cracking down on illegal websites and promotions on social media, while pushing the legalization agenda further into the future.
This conservative path is mainly based on political and social stability considerations. In recent years, the Vietnamese government has strengthened cybersecurity and cultural regulation, so it is not impossible that they would adopt a “better to tighten than to loosen” attitude regarding iGaming legalization. If there are no substantial relaxations in Vietnam’s gambling policy in the short term, then by 2026, iGaming may still remain in a state of “legal vacuum + underground boom.”
Summary
In Southeast Asia’s broader iGaming landscape, Vietnam’s key issue is no longer “whether to open”, but rather how to open, where to start, and when it will truly be implemented.
From a policy perspective, whether it’s the approval of casino resort projects, trial runs allowing locals to enter, or the systematic advancement of digital lotteries, Vietnam’s regulators are gradually transitioning from a “fully closed” model toward “structural breakthroughs.” Although a nationwide licensing framework for iGaming has not yet been formally established, the direction is set and the pathway is being paved.
From the market perspective, Vietnam’s iGaming industry is far from being just a so-called “potential stock.” It is already a mature market that has been running for years, with very high user participation, and a coexistence of gray and semi-gray ecosystems. Whether it’s user base, betting preferences, payment methods, or promotional channels like Zalo groups and Telegram traffic, the entire chain is already well established. The only thing missing is a compliant identity.
TC-Gaming believes: 2026 may not be the year when Vietnam’s iGaming market fully explodes, but it is very likely to be the year when the regulatory pathway becomes clearer. It will be a watershed moment—where short-term speculators exit, and long-term players enter. It is a true preparation period—a time for laying foundations and planning for the future.
For platforms and service providers, Vietnam has never been a “new market waiting for opportunities,” but rather an old battlefield requiring a new strategy. The real question is not “whether to do it,” but— “how to do it more steadily, more deeply, and more sustainably?”
Examples:
- In a market with significant language and cultural differences, conduct thorough local user research: betting preferences, rebate acceptance, and community engagement are all essential;
- Before legalization arrives, lay the groundwork early with localized SEO, Vietnamese-language sites, odds information, and guided content funnels;
- Anticipate that Vietnam may adopt a “regional licensing + agency system” model, and prepare your technology and payment layers in advance.
Amid these behind-the-scenes preparations—often invisible but decisive—TC-Gaming White Label iGaming maintains one clear direction: providing long-term, trustworthy iGaming solutions for clients.
No matter how the iGaming market evolves, TC-Gaming remains committed to:
- Stable and reliable system architecture, ensuring high concurrency and multi-node deployment;
- Localized language and payment integration, covering Southeast Asia’s major e-wallets and languages;
- Balancing compliance awareness with technical foresight, helping clients keep pace with regulatory changes;
- Seventeen years of white label iGaming industry experience and trust, ensuring your platform not only launches, but also survives long-term and runs steadily.
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