Vietnam: Where is World Cup 2018 betting considered legal?

Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam issued Decision No. 1064/QD-BVHTTDL on the announcement of the list of international football matches and tournaments selected as a basis for betting business in 2018 (phase 1). The FIFA World Cup 2018 is also included in the list of selected tournaments for betting.

On the other hand, according to Clause 1 Article 38 of Decree No. 06/2017/ND-CP of Vietnam’s Government, the Government allows 01 enterprise to pilot the business of betting on international soccer. The duration of pilot international soccer betting business shall be 05 years since the day on which the Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business is issued. The procedures for issuance of this Certificate shall be carried out in accordance with provisions of Articles 38, 39 and 40 of Decree No. 06/2017/ND-CP.

However, as of now, there is no enterprise established and authorized to organize football betting according to the aforementioned regulations in Vietnam.

Therefore, despite the legal framework for football betting activities and the selection of World Cup 2018 as a tournament for betting, there are no licensed enterprises for football betting, and thus, players are not allowed to participate in betting. Any act of football betting during the World Cup 2018 will be considered illegal, and players may face administrative penalties or even criminal responsibility, depending on the severity of their involvement.

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