Vietnam Proposes Mandatory Bettor ID Verification for Football and Racing

Vietnam’s government is advancing a regulatory overhaul requiring enhanced identity verification for sports betting participants, targeting football, horse racing, and greyhound racing. The proposed law, set to replace 2017 regulations, mandates bettors to submit personal details before placing wagers, aligning with anti-fraud and social stability goals.

The new framework was developed through inter-ministerial collaboration and public input and maintains existing betting limits while prioritizing financial transparency. Authorities confirm the draft has cleared preliminary reviews and now awaits final approval, marking Vietnam’s latest effort to modernize gambling oversight.

Expanded Identity Mandate

Vietnam’s Ministry of Justice has spearheaded enhanced identity verification protocols for licensed betting platforms, demanding disclosure of gamblers’ details during account registration. According to local reports, the drafted decree requires bettors to input their full name, nationality, occupation, phone number, and residential address. These requirements expand beyond prior standards.

The ministry emphasized alignment with the 2022 Anti-Money Laundering Law as the propelling force for these measures. Following inter-agency coordination, the Ministry of Finance formally incorporated the requirements into the revised regulatory framework, establishing uniform identity checks across all licensed operators.

One policy notes, “The face of gambling in Vietnam is set to undergo a major transformation as the government embarks on ensuring that those placing bets do so under strict regulation.” Implementation would eliminate anonymous wagering and activate real-time monitoring of betting participation.

Betting Limits Dispute

Conflicting ministerial positions emerged during the gambling reform discussions, particularly regarding wagering thresholds. The Ministry of Science and Technology advocated doubling the daily betting cap to VND100 million (US$3,800) per individual or maintaining VND10 million (US$380) per betting product. It contended that higher limits would make licensed operators competitive against illicit markets by attracting higher-value patrons.

The Ministry of Finance firmly opposed this stance, asserting that regulated betting should prioritize recreational engagement over high-stakes gambling. Officials highlighted Vietnam’s average annual income of approximately $5,000 per capita, cautioning that increased limits could worsen problem gambling and social harm. Consequently, the draft decree preserves the existing VND10 million daily cap per operator, a threshold deemed vital for aligning with economic realities and social welfare.

Expanded Tournament Access

Vietnam’s revised betting laws address market constraints by broadening the list of permissible football events beyond FIFA tournaments. Regulatory adjustments now authorize wagering on UEFA, AFC, ACONMEBOL, and CONCACAF competitions alongside top-tier leagues from nations ranked in FIFA’s global top 10, including England, Germany, Brazil, and Argentina.