Vietnam Casinos to Implement VNeID Digital Identity Checks from November 15

The gambling landscape in Vietnam is undergoing a significant technological shift that could drastically improve efficiency at casino entrances. Starting November 15, the country will allow customer verification through the national digital identification app, VNeID. This decision, formalized through the issuance of amended security and public order rules on October 20, provides casino operators and electronic gaming businesses serving foreigners with a modern tool. It is a clear signal of the increasing digitalization of public life in Southeast Asia, although the state is not relaxing its strict supervisory role.

The introduction of VNeID by no means implies that traditional control mechanisms are disappearing. Instead, the app serves as an additional option alongside physical identity documents. Operators remain obligated to record every detail of their guests in a register. The government clarifies that digital verification alone is not sufficient to finally confirm a player's eligibility. The primary focus is identity verification. Whether someone actually has permission to enter the gaming floor must still be checked against legal exclusion criteria. This underlines the hybrid nature of Vietnamese regulation, which utilizes modern technology while adhering to bureaucratic security requirements.

Numbers and facts

A key aspect of the new regulation concerns human resources within the industry. The government has decreed that individuals with unexpunged convictions for specific offenses may not be employed in the gambling industry. This specifically includes crimes related to gambling, its organization, arrangement, and loan-sharking. The integrity of the sector is to be maintained through these strict employment hurdles. Furthermore, an interesting personnel figure remains in place, which has been in effect since 2016: casinos and gaming halls catering to foreigners must continue to hire at least 30% of their security staff from certified security service providers.

The regulations apply nationwide, but access for Vietnamese citizens remains a privilege reserved for only a few locations. Currently, eligible Vietnamese citizens are allowed to gamble at the Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc Island and The Grand Ho Tram. While Corona Resort holds permanent permission, Ho Tram operates under a five-year pilot program. Another five-year pilot project for locals was approved for the Van Don casino project in Quang Ninh province. However, this will only take effect once the project receives its official operating license, as the site is currently still under development.

Background

Vietnam is following a cautious path in opening its gambling market. For a long time, gambling in casinos was reserved exclusively for foreigners. The pilot projects for locals are strictly linked to proof of income and tax reliability. The introduction of the VNeID app is a logical step in synchronizing data flows between private operators and state security authorities. The government's legal portal makes it clear that security and public order are top priorities.

„Digital checks do not replace customer registers. Businesses are still required to record all the customers’ information in a register.“ - Excerpt from government guidelines, October 20

The link between identity verification and criminal records shows that Vietnam classifies gambling as a highly sensitive area. Operators must ensure that customers who do not meet the criteria are under no circumstances allowed access to electronic games or classic table games. The risk of high fines or license loss ensures that providers take these due diligence obligations very seriously.

Why it matters for German players

For German tourists in Vietnam, the innovation primarily means a potential simplification of entry, provided they can use international digital identity standards or the app is made accessible to foreigners. Basically, however, the passport remains the most important document for German citizens on site. More interesting is the comparison to home: in Germany, the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) regulates the market extremely strictly. While Vietnam relies on a national app, Germany uses the LUGAS system for cross-operator monitoring of deposit limits and activity status.

German players moving within licensed GGL casinos are bound by a cross-provider deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month. In addition, a stake limit of 1 euro per spin applies to virtual slot machines. These measures serve player protection and addiction prevention. Anyone playing in Vietnam should be aware that completely different rules apply there and the protection standard for consumers is not comparable to the German level. The Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) regularly warns that the security of German regulations is lost during stays abroad.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German providers with a GGL license are closely watching such international developments, as digital identity verification is also a major topic in Europe. In Germany, identification via Video-Ident or Auto-Ident is already standard. A state-centralized app like VNeID could speed up processes but raises much more complex data protection issues in Germany than in Vietnam. For whitelist providers, this means they continue to rely on strict GGL requirements for document verification while simultaneously guaranteeing compliance with the OASIS exclusion file.

The Vietnamese decision shows that the industry worldwide is looking for ways to combine security and convenience. However, German providers must ensure that every technological innovation complies with the strict data protection requirements of the GDPR. A central register, as Vietnam is now linking digitally, is already a reality in Germany through LUGAS and OASIS, but with a stricter separation of responsibilities. The focus in Germany remains on combating the black market and channeling towards legal offers.