Vietnam Will Open Gambling to Citizens

Next year Vietnam is planning to allow their citizens to begin gambling at the country's casinos, an activity that had only been open to foreign visitors in the past.

The activity will be open to Vietnamese citizens and will initially be allowed to gamble only at the Phu Quoc Island casino, as part of a three year test program. The government will stipulate that punters be 21 years or older, have a monthly income of 10 million Vietnamese dong (roughly $432), and pay an entrance fee of 1 million dong.

The study comes amid reports that the country is losing almost $800 million per year with its residents taking vacations to nearby Cambodia in order to bet. The country is keen to retrieve some of that money and bring in the tax revenues. The country has 90 million people and has a flourishing economy, which allows the middle class to participate in leisurely activities that many Westerners may be surprised by.