Vietnam offers hints on new football, race betting regulations

Vietnam is putting the final touches on regulations governing legal sports betting, horse and dog racing.

On Thursday, the Vietnamese government reported that Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue had asked the Ministry of Finance to tweak its betting draft decree and submit a revised copy by August 15.

The new decree envisions issuing five-year licenses for companies to offer wagering on racing meets and international football matches (with the clear implication that they don’t want local leagues subject to potential fixing issues).

Other details include preventing betting agents from setting up shop within 500 meters of schools or public parks at which children congregate. Hours of operation for betting agents will be up to the government, not operators.