The Government Office has released a decision from Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on allowing gambling machines in isolated areas for foreigners at international airports.

The Ministry of Finance was asked to gather opinions from other ministers and agencies to amend Decree 86 on gaming for foreigners.

Gambling machines have been put in various airports across the world. However, as of now, gambling and casinos are only open to foreigners in Vietnam.

Due to a ban on gambling, Vietnamese have crossed borders to bet. An unofficial survey in Tay Ninh Province pointed out that at least 200 people go to casinos in Cambodia on a daily basis. Statistics from the Ministry of Public Security revealed that 345 people had been arrested for illegal gambling and 10 online gambling sites were busted last year.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam has 43 establishments with gambling machines and eight casinos. Revenue last year reached VND1.3 trillion of which VND336bn was paid to the state budget.