Vietnam authorises the creation of a casino in Phu Quoc
The Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has just approved the creation of a land-based casino on the resort island of Phu Quoc in the southern province of Kien Giang.
This news was announced by the government on Saturday, January 17.
The casino in question will be part of a huge tourist complex that requires a minimum investment of 4 billion dollars.
A special economic zone
A special economic zone will be created to accommodate this establishment. A proposal has been submitted to the government last year, and provincial authorities have announced that an area of 30,000m² was going to accommodate a land-based casino offering 200 – 400 gaming tables and 2000 slot machines.
Additionally plans for the area also include a five-star hotel with 3000 rooms and suites, as well as various conference and meeting centres.
A report submitted to the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Planning and Investment to coordinate with the provincial authorities and agencies, to work on the development of the complex in Phu Quoc.
A report will be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and then the government will issue a decree on the market for land-based casinos.
An island that attracts many tourists
Phu Quoc, nicknamed Pearl Island, is the largest island of Vietnam.
According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, more and more tourists are visiting the region, and an annual increase of 27.8% was recorded.
According to estimates, it is also said that once the special economic zone will be effective and operational in 2020, Phu Quoc will even welcome 2 – 3 million visitors each year of which 35 to 40% will be foreigners.
Controversial establishments
The opening of land-based casinos is currently controversial in Vietnam, and a number of pressure groups argue against their introduction.
Nevertheless, there are still 7 major gambling establishment authorised to operate in the country.
Six of these are operating in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Lao Cai in the north, Da Nang in the central region and in Ba Rai-Vung in the south.
There are also several smaller casinos that are being operated in 4 or 5-star hotels across the country.
