Vietnam formally okays betting on international football matches

Vietnam has released its formal decree on allowing local punters to wager on international football matches, as well as horse- and dog-racing.

In late January, Vietnam’s government published Decree 06/2017/ND-CP, which lays down rules under which local punters can lawfully wager on select sporting events. As with most government gambling policies, the decree has been years in the making, during which time unauthorized betting operations have continued to flourish in this betting-mad country.

Most of the decree’s elements have been circulating for months, including the controversial cap of VND 1m ($45) that any individual can wager per day with any one authorized betting firm. Critics have been vocal on how this cap will fail to deter serious bettors from seeking out higher limits at any number of internationally licensed online betting sites that serve the Vietnamese market.

The decree’s other requirements include limiting legal wagering to those 21 years of age or older, and football wagers will be limited to matches that have the approval of international football overseers FIFA. The decree says the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will issue specifics regarding eligible matches for betting.