Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang signed Decree No. 391/2026/ND-CP on administrative fines in betting and cash-prize games on October 20. The document takes effect December 5 and replaces Decree No. 137/2021/ND-CP. It covers licensed betting on horse racing, greyhound racing and international football matches, as well as casinos and electronic games with prizes for foreigners.
The fine ceiling is unchanged: up to VND 200 million for organizations (about $7,800 at the rate of 25,639 dong per dollar on October 20) and up to VND 100 million for individuals (about $3,900). The limitation period remains one year. For an ongoing violation, the count starts when the authorized agency detects it or, if it has stopped, from the date it ended.
The list of violations has changed: there are now 51 groups instead of 49. Bookmaking groups remain at 17, while casino and electronic games for foreigners now have 15 each, up from 14. The four groups of violations related to money laundering remain unchanged.
Articles 28 and 43 govern the temporary suspension and resumption of casino and e-game hall operations. Failing to notify authorities on time, or notifying them without the required information, carries a fine of VND 40 million to 50 million (about $1,560-1,950).
When a venue operates against a suspension requirement, or during a pause the operator itself reported to the regulator, the fine rises to VND 180 million to 200 million (about $7,020-7,800). Operations may also be suspended for six to 12 months, and illegally obtained profits will be confiscated. Penalties for operating after a compliance certificate was revoked or suspended existed in the 2021 decree, but liability for violating a temporary suspension regime is spelled out separately for the first time.
Transitional rules are in Article 64. A violation ended before December 5 will be handled under the old rules, even if it is detected or taken up later. If a violation began before that date and continues after it, Decree No. 391/2026/ND-CP applies.
