Vietnam’s go-ahead for locals to enter one of the country’s casinos for a trial period has set off a rat race to lure gaming investors in a country where local leaders have been chiefly judged by economic growth rates alone. In August 2013, the Communist Party’s decision-making Politburo allowed Vietnamese meeting certain criteria to gamble in a casino to be built in the Van Don Economic Zone in Quang Ninh Province bordering China. Vietnamese tycoon Dao Hong Tuyen and US firm ISC Corporation are investing in the US$7.5 billion project that includes a casino, marinas, a convention center and golf…

lingiGaming Business – Vietnamese lawmakers met on Wednesday to discuss draft regulations that could lead to the country opening up betting and gambling activities to its own citizens, according to the Wall Street Journal newspaper. The lawmakers proposed that the government should set up a pilot project that would allow local people who meet certain income requirements and have a “record of good conduct” to enter casinos in the Van Don Economic Zone in the northern province of Quang Ninh. The lawmakers are also discussing a draft decree on legalising betting activities in horseracing, dog racing and international football. Since…

From Travel Daily Media – Vietnam’s first integrated casino resort has opened its doors on the country’s southeast coast. The Grand Ho Tram Strip features a 541-room hotel, plus a casino with 90 table games and more than 600 slot machines, meeting and convention space, 13 F&B outlets, a spa, three swimming pools and retail outlets. Work on a second tower is ongoing, and will eventually add another 559 hotel rooms along with additional entertainment facilities. “This has been a monumental effort, and we stand here today not just launching a hotel, not just launching a casino – we stand…