Content Writer: Janice Chew • Monday, 25/11/2025 - 19:29:54 - PM
Vietnam’s anti-gambling crackdown marked a high-profile milestone this week when the Hanoi People's Court handed down sentences to two former provincial officials for their roles in a sprawling illegal gambling ring. The case reportedly involved more than US$106 million in bets placed under false foreign names at a luxury hotel-casino in Hanoi. Among those convicted was Ho Dai Dung, the ex-Vice Chairman of the Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee, who was sentenced to 3 years 6 months in prison.
The gambling ring reportedly operated out of the Pullman Hanoi Hotel (King Club) and involved at least 141 defendants. The scheme allowed Vietnamese players to gamble by using fake foreign names and membership cards, ostensibly to evade legal prohibition of real-money gaming. Other defendants included South Korean nationals acting as organisers, who received prison terms of two to four years.
What makes this case particularly noteworthy is its scale and the involvement of public officials. Prosecutors reported the total amount wagered across the operation exceeded US$100 million, pointing to a level of coordination and facilitation that extends beyond typical underground gambling. The involvement of high-ranking officials underscores the Vietnamese government’s current intent to clamp down on illicit gambling, gaming infrastructure and corruption associated with it.
For stakeholders watching Vietnam’s business and regulatory environment, this verdict carries several implications. First, it signals stronger enforcement and less tolerance for large-scale illegal gaming operations. Second, the case may act as a deterrent to business actors considering grey-area ventures in gaming, especially those leveraging foreign fronts or complicit officials. Finally, it places increased pressure on tourism-hospitality venues and luxury hotels to ensure strict compliance, as venues are now clearly under scrutiny for how they may facilitate or host unlawful gaming. In sum: Vietnam is stepping-up oversight of the gambling sector, and firms operating at the boundaries should take note.
