Is online poker legal in Vietnam?

Is online poker legal in Vietnam?

Hello all,

I'm a Dutch player thinking of moving to Vietnam to grind online cash for a living, probably on some crypto poker sites or possibly GG and Pokerstars. Choosing Vietnam specifically as I have a bunch of Vietnamese family members living there which is nice.
So I'm pretty sure (online) cash games are illegal here (how about online MTTs?), but I wonder how strictly the laws are enforced. Will I get imprisoned for making a living playing poker?

01 July 2024 at 01:58 PM
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5 Replies



We just discussed this for Cambo, maybe read that in the fred, basically all the same things are true for VN. Except live cash games are illegal always, even in casinos, but they usually pay off the popo, so the risk is relatively low.
Note that other than in Cambo they play in VND, not in USD. Yes, you can play on PS and GG and whatever other site, yes, it's not legal but as long as you keep quiet the govt has many other much more pressing things to do. Just don't rub it into the wrong people's faces.
Since you have some family connections, maybe you speak the language, but just stating here English capabilities of most Vietnamese tend to be not great, worse than in Thailand and Cambo for sure. Ofc in the tourist districts of Saigon or Da Nang you're going to be fine for the most part, but the more you venture out, the worse it will get.


Also, if you don't have Vietnamese citizen status, Vietnam is not that easy to stay long-term, there are no straightforward long-term stay options AFAIK. I think there are workarounds, but this is to be considered also.


by FWWM k

Except live cash games are illegal always, even in casinos, but they usually pay off the popo, so the risk is relatively low.

Nah. Cash games inside casinos are totally legal.


You sure of this? My info is it's like described here basically

I know cash games are being offered pretty much everywhere that offers poker, but that doesn't mean it's allowed. The way it's usually being done I described recently in the Cambo fred. But could be that there are some recent changes...


by FWWM k

You sure of this? My info is it's like described here basically

I know cash games are being offered pretty much everywhere that offers poker, but that doesn't mean it's allowed. The way it's usually being done I described recently in the Cambo fred. But could be

No recent changes. Cash games require gambling/casino license. So technically illegal at card clubs, and legal inside casinos. Not a blanket illegal always everywhere etc.

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