If Vietnam legalises sports betting, billions of dollars could be recouped for the country and help boost tourism post-COVID-19.

Horses race at the Thien Ma – Madagui track in Lam Dong province. Allowing gambling
on horse racing would help boost tourism in Vietnam. (Photo: nld.vn) 

That was one of the topics discussed during a seminar in Hanoi on June 23 attended by economic experts, government ministries and representatives from betting companies.

Although gambling is currently illegal in Vietnam, the Ministry of Finance is drafting an amendment to the decree to allow betting on horse racing, greyhound racing and international football.

This, according to those who attended the seminar, could help the country recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic seriously affected tourism.

And they estimated the amount of revenue that would be received if the gambling industry increased, through tax.

Economist Nguyen Mai told Vietnam News: “It is necessary to have mechanisms and policies to attract investors in the prize-winning entertainment industry as it will help the tourism to gain back.”

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT)’s estimate, if international tourists increase average spending to about US$1,000-1,500 from the current spending of between US$400-600 per visit, the international tourism revenue in Vietnam will increase at least US$8 billion to US$15 billion each year.

A representative from VNAT said the country had potential operating the prize-winning entertainment as 80% of the international tourists to Vietnam were Asian, many of them enjoying gambling.

He also added that visitors would stay longer and benefit the local hospitality and other relating services.

In addition with the added revenue, Nguyen Van Phung, Director of the Tax Policy Department from the Ministry of Finance, said: “Vietnam can have at least 10% from the value added tax from the industry and between 10-30% from the special consumption tax.”

However, Nguyen Anh Tuan, Editor-in-chief of The Investors Magazine, which organised the seminar said: “While Vietnam has a great potential to develop the industry, compared to many countries in the region, the local market for prize-winning entertainment is very small."

Do Van Su, Director of the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said turnover for prize-winning games for foreigners reached VND13.2 trillion in 2019, up 22.8% compared to 2017 and twice as much than in 2013.

While he accepted the market has grown steadily in the past, Su believed there is potential for greater growth, especially if local people are allowed to bet legally as well as foreigners.

Economist Nguyen Mai said, “The healthy market will help avoid the ‘bleeding’ of foreign currencies through black market gambling and through Vietnamese people going abroad to visit casinos.”

Mai said because gambling had been frowned upon and did not meet the nation's fine customs and traditions, Vietnam had not yet put such regulations for activities like football betting, horse racing and casino into law.

He said, “This will make the country miss the chance to develop the industry which could promote tourism.”

Attending the seminar, Nguyen Ngoc My, President of Vabis Group, which owns a horse racing course, a dog racing course and computer gaming service in Vietnam noted, “Vietnam needs to have a special organisation to manage the industry which could become a billion dollar industry.”

Michael Efron, chairman and CEO of the Vietnam Sports Player PTY LTD, who has 50 years’ experience in the horse racing industry in Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea, said: "This is vital if Vietnam is to promote horse racing and breeding and the integrity within federation member countries to encourage and develop mutually beneficial objectives and strategies between racing organisations."

He feels horse racing would finally encourage, promote and support international competition for trainers, jockeys and horses when conditions permit.

Also at the seminar, Can Van Luc, chief economist of BIDV, said according to the World Tourism Organization, Vietnam was ranked six out of 10 countries with the world's top tourist growth.

Last year, the total revenue from tourists reached VND768.5 trillion, 13 times higher than in 2008, adding tourism's direct contribution in local GDP was 9.2% and indirect contribution of 14% through job creation, on-site export and income generation for local communities.

Luc said, “Compared to other places in the world, it is still relatively low and needs to be better with more services and entertainment.

"It is necessary to change this mindset of banning the things that are not yet well managed. Instead, there is a need for a mechanism and policy to develop the prize-winning entertainment associated with tourism and night economy.”

He suggested to learn from the regional experiences of China, Singapore, Malaysia, adding: “We need to build and complete the legal system of prize-winning activities such as horse racing, dog racing, amusement parks, which can ensure it will go in a direction that boosts tourism and causes no risks.”

Mechanisms and incentives to encourage investors such as land and tax incentives should be also added to the legal system, said Luc.