Hoiana Resort Seeks Vietnam Locals Gaming Approval Amid Major Expansion

A significant shift is looming in the Vietnamese gambling market. Hoiana Resort & Golf, one of the country's most prestigious integrated resorts, is working to loosen the strict access restrictions for local players. Currently, most Vietnamese casinos only allow foreign passport holders to gamble. Alan Teo, Chief Executive of Hoiana, made it clear at the IAG Academy Summit in Manila that his company views the inclusion of local Vietnamese residents as an essential part of its long-term strategy.

The current situation is characterized by a cautious opening course by the Vietnamese government. So far, only a few properties, such as the Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc, enjoy the privilege of allowing locals to play under strict conditions within a pilot project. Teo pointed out that they are looking at models like the Grand Ho Tram but emphasized that the approval process is very time-consuming. The example of Ho Tram illustrates the hurdles: local players were only granted access there in late 2025, more than 12 years after the resort's original opening. Hoiana management is therefore bracing for a patient wait while the infrastructure is massively expanded.

Numbers and facts

The Hoiana project is impressive in its dimensions. The entire area covers 985 hectares, of which the current Phase 1 occupies only 15 percent of the site. Expansion plans include the development of another 700 to 800 hotel rooms. In addition, a second 18-hole golf course is planned to increase attractiveness for sports tourists. A major pillar of the growth strategy is the MICE sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions). For this, large ballrooms and conference centers are planned to benefit from the more than 21 million international tourists who visit Vietnam annually.

Financially, the resort stands on several pillars. Alan Teo provided insights into the current Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) mix. This is divided into roughly three equal parts: slot machines, junket business (officially known as International Travel Operators or ITOs), and direct VIP business. A particularly positive highlight was that direct VIP business grew by almost 50 percent compared to the previous year. This helps the company reduce dependence on external intermediaries, although cooperation with four strong operators from markets such as South Korea and Thailand remains stable.

Background

The history of Hoiana Resort is closely linked to the upheavals in the Asian junket industry. Originally, the Suncity Group, led by Alvin Chau, was one of the main investors. Following Chau's arrest in 2021 and the collapse of the Suncity empire in Macau, the resort had to reorganize. Hoi An South Development Ltd, the current parent company, is now leading the negotiations with the government. A trump card in the talks is the resort's location, just 15 minutes from Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

"The government will have to take time to evaluate whether it will give Hoiana the go-ahead to provide gaming services for local clients." - Alan Teo, Chief Executive at Hoiana Resort & Golf

Although the focus is on gambling, Teo is pursuing a "destination-first" strategy. This means the resort must be attractive enough to draw guests even without a casino visit. Beach villas, retail spaces, and proximity to cultural sites are intended to ensure the project remains profitable even if the decision on admitting local players takes years.

Why it matters for German players

For German vacationers traveling to Vietnam, access to the Hoiana Casino remains easy upon presentation of a foreign passport. In Germany itself, the situation is clearly regulated by the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). While Vietnam struggles with access for locals, German players in licensed online casinos must observe strict limits. The monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros via the LUGAS system and the 1 euro stake limit per spin on virtual slots serve to protect players. Those who play in Vietnam do not enjoy these German protection mechanisms and should be aware of the risks.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German providers with a license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) are in constant competition with the international market. Developments in Vietnam show that even massive integrated resorts are trying to expand their customer base to the local market to remain economically stable. GGL casinos, on the other hand, must maintain their attractiveness within a tight regulatory framework. However, the transparency and security offered by a German license are a unique selling point compared to foreign offers that often operate without comparable player protection rules. A comparison with Vietnamese conditions highlights how privileged access to regulated gambling in Germany has become.