Vietnam is known for its bustling cities, rivers, tropical forests, beautiful beaches, and its dense population. After decades of war, the country gained independence in 1969 and now has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
TOP Betting Sites in Vietnam
In this guide to the best betting sites in Vietnam, our expert analysts review the top sportsbooks in Vietnam. Moreover, we address the legalities of gambling in Vietnam and include a list of relevant facts and other information. Despite having less than favourable gambling laws, many top sportsbooks and casinos accept Vietnamese players. While the list of online betting sites in Vietnam is relatively small, they include top brands like 1xBet, and W88. Below is a list of pros and cons and a summary of what they offer.
W88
The brand W88 is one of the better-known bookies operating within the Vietnamese marketplace. Launched in 2013 and catering to a mostly Asian audience has put this bookie on solid footing. In part, that is the result of their track record for superior bonuses, customer services and affinity for Asian and European sports. W88 has always taken pride in this, and with over 30 sports markets available, punters will not be disappointed.
However, where W88 exceeds expectations is its generous coverage of casino, lotto, fantasy and live casino coverage. The options are truly one of a kind and deliver a world-class experience that is perfect for Vietnamese players. This is even more relevant when you factor in their impressive promotional lineup and Vietnamese-friendly payment methods.
- PROS:
- Large selection of sports
- In-play betting and favourable odds
- Asian themed live casino
- CONS:
- Limited payment methods
1xBet
1xBet is one of the few brands that is synonymous with excellence, success, quality, reliability, and trustability. After initially opening in 2011, the Curacao licensed brand was seen as part of a new breed of bookmakers. Along with their extensive operations online, 1xBet operates over 1,000 betting shops in Asia and Russia. Collectively, they offer coverage for hundreds of sports, esports and virtual sports events. Moreover, they offer some of the best odds in the industry and include in-play and live streaming.
Likewise, the 1xBet casino is feature-packed with thousands of gaming opportunities. This is perfect for punters in the mood for slots, bingo, poker, table games, or live dealer games. Also added to their growing collection are fishing games, hunting games and scratch cards.
- PROS:
- Generous welcome bonus for sports bettors
- Excellent live and pre-match coverage
- A large number of cryptocurrency payment methods
- CONS:
- The layout can be somewhat overwhelming
Why Choose Online Betting in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the few Southeast Asian countries bordering China, where gambling is legal for locals and foreigners. However, while this presents Vietnamese players the opportunity to gamble at state-licensed casinos, the same freedoms are not extended to online betting. That in itself strongly supports why bettors should choose online betting in Vietnam over land-based gaming.
Moreover, the restrictions in place prevent anyone under the age of 21 from entering a gaming establishment. In addition, bettors must have permission from family and prove a monthly income of at least 10 million dong. In contrast, top Vietnamese bookmakers do not apply such restrictions and reduce the age restrictions to 18 versus 21.
Beyond the removal of Vietnamese imposed restrictions, online casinos and bookmakers offer a more diverse portfolio of betting products. Likewise, they offer far better odds and include a variety of features not available at land-based establishments.
In 2017, Vietnam enacted legislation to legalize local games of chance and in 2018, passed a bill that legalized sports betting. Unfortunately, Vietnam has opted not to extend those same considerations to online betting. That means that online betting is prohibited under the current legislative laws and thereby illegal.
- Prior to the late 20th century, the only legal form of betting in Vietnam was the lottery. Since 2017, the options have expanded to include casino and sports betting.
- In order to gable in a licensed casino in Vietnam, locals must be over 21 and earn no less than 10 million dong a month.
- Since legalizing casinos in 2017, the country has seen the opening of eight casinos. The largest of those, the Grand Ho Tram Strip, is located in Hồ Tràm.
- In an effort to control illegal gambling, Vietnamese officials began blocking gambling domains. To date, over 200 domains have been blocked, with that number increasing annually.
- To counter the restrictive measures taken by government officials, Vietnamese players rely on VPNs to mask their location so they can browse freely.
Under the current legislation whereby online gambling is illegal in Vietnam, some bookies will impose restrictions. However, these are relatively minimal as the state has zero control over the services bookies provide. Generally, restrictions imposed against Vietnamese players are more frequently experienced when punting at an online casino.
Aside from minimal game restrictions, punters may be restricted from certain payment methods, such as e-wallets. However, bookmakers like W88 offset this inconvenience by offering cryptocurrencies and mobile phone payment options.
Gambling Facts at a Glance
- Currency
The Vietnamese Dong has the distinction of being the worlds third weakest currency. It has been the national currency since 1978 after it replaced the French Indochinese piastre. - Population
Vietnam is the 15th most densely populated country in the world. Its population of 97.34 million is equal to 1.25% of the world’s population. - Active players
The number of bookmakers operating within Vietnam would suggest a large percentage of its population regularly gamble. However, this type of data is not published in Vietnam, making it impossible to predict exact numbers. - Regulatory authority
The Ministry of Finance acts as the main regulatory agency for land-based casinos and sports betting in Vietnam. Its responsibilities include licensing, regulating, enforcement, and collecting corporate taxes. - Licensed gambling products
Currently, the list of licensed gambling products in Vietnam includes casinos, football betting, greyhound racing, horse racing, and lotteries. At present, Vietnam does not license online gambling products. - Types of operators
The type of operators licensed to operate within Vietnam is limited to licensed land-based operators and state lotteries. However, the list of operators Vietnamese have at their disposal includes offshore casinos and sportsbooks.
How to Choose the Right Online Betting Site
Vietnamese punters have the luxury of unparalleled access to a substantial variety of online gambling products. While this level of freedom is good news for punters, it does come with some risks and potential pitfalls. To lessen the risk, the best solution is to verify whether a gaming establishment meets your needs. Therefore, before choosing where to bet in Vietnam, consider the following:
- Does the betting site have a valid license from an established gaming control board?
- Is their software regularly audited by industry-approved testing labs such as iTech Labs or eCOGRA?
- Can you confirm their reputation for trustworthiness and verify their website meets international standards for security?
- Do they offer a large selection of sports, betting markets, in-play sports and competitive odds?
- Are you able to access special features like live streaming, cash out options, bet builder functions and other features like statistics and pre-match expert analysis?
- Do the betting site offer an assortment of promotional products like free spins, deposit bonuses and free spins?
Bonuses for Vietnamese Players
Local Vietnamese bettors have access to some of the industries most respected licensed online betting sites. More importantly, they have access to some of most creative promotional offers and bonuses online bookies have to offer. This is quite common in the competitive environment of online bookies and even more so with online casinos.
The demand for continued competitive bonuses has resulted in Vietnamese bettors benefiting far and wide. This is particularly true for punters who want to extend their recreational spending budgets via valuable promotions offers. These offers range from first deposit bonuses to redeposit offers and a never-ending range of free bet offers. Moreover, bookies commonly feature boosted odds, enhanced ACCAs and other free money offers.
Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Vietnam
The legalization of football betting in Vietnam is an indicator of its reputation as a popular sport to bet on in Vietnam. Interestingly enough, while Vietnam is culturally diverse, their preferences for sports betting is similar to other global trends. As such, established bookies and new Vietnamese betting sites all tend to offer a variety of popular Vietnamese sports.
So, which are the most popular sports to bet in Vietnam, they are as follows:
- Football
- Badminton
- Rugby
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
- Cycling
- Tennis
- Table Tennis
Mobile Betting in Vietnam
One benefit used to overcome the illegality of online betting is the world-class mobile solutions offered by bookmakers and casinos. However, what are the best mobile solutions for Vietnamese players, the answer is rather simple. Considering the high-quality delivered via their mobile platforms, 1xBet and W88 dominate the Vietnamese market. After testing their mobile products, this becomes even easier to understand.
Simple said, both offer a similar range of mobile products and platforms that are efficient and customizable. Setting that aside, what really makes the two stand out is their easy navigation and substantial range of features. These include in-play betting opportunities, live streaming, quick bet features, and others like payment methods and 24/7 support.
Are Online Casinos Popular in Vietnam?
Considering the often unattainable and restrictive requirements the Vietnamese government burdens its citizens with, it is easy to understand why online casinos are popular in Vietnam. The resultant actions have seen Vietnamese players visiting online casinos in droves as they look for alternatives to land-based casinos.
The best Vietnam online casinos all report an increase in activity, and that essentially verifies the Vietnamese are enthusiastic supports of online casinos. This is logical when you consider the game availability includes live dealer, slot, table, and other popular games of chance.
Supported Payment Methods
Once again, online bookmakers ensure Vietnamese punters are blessed with a wide range of supported payment methods. These include internationally popular options like Mastercard, Visa and Maestro, to name a few. While other options, such as cryptocurrencies, offer Vietnamese players increased privacy and peace of mind. All vary in the minimum deposit requirements, and the processing times for withdrawals also vary.
All casino enterprises in Vietnam are subject to a 25% corporate income tax,10% value added tax and a 30% special sales tax. Fortunately, the country does not tax winnings, and therefore, Vietnamese players are not required to report winnings as income.
FAQs
Is it legal to bet on sports in Vietnam?
Yes, it is legal to bet on sports in Vietnam, but only on football.
What is the #1 ranked sports betting site in Vietnam?
While W88 and 1xBet are all ranked highly, in our opinion, the #1 ranked sportsbook in Vietnam is W88.
Are online bookmakers legal in Vietnam?
No, online sports betting is not legal and therefore, neither are online bookmakers. Although, most Vietnamese players regularly punt online.
Are online sportsbooks in Vietnam safe?
Yes, online sportsbooks in Vietnam are licensed and continuously monitored to ensure systems are not compromised.
Which are the best bonuses for Vietnam customers?
The best bonuses for Vietnam customers depends on many factors. However, some of the best bonuses include new player bonuses and free bets.
How can tell if a bookmaker is licensed?
If a bookmaker is licensed, they will display their licensing certificate in the sites footer section. This will include the name of the gaming control board and their certificate number.
Is it a criminal offence to gamble online in Vietnam?
Yes, if caught gambling online, Vietnamese players can be fined up to 50 million VND. Although, the odds of this occurring are low as authorities are unable to monitor player activity.
How old must I be to sign up with an online Vietnamese casino?
The minimum age required to sign up at an online casino in Vietnam is 18.
Final Comments
After a detailed analysis of the Vietnamese gambling market, it became evident that the market is anything but friendly. The positive side to this is local punters can avail the services offered online and, therefore, thwart the restrictive measures implemented by their government. The reality is the government has a stronghold in terms of the products it licenses, and from all accounts, they seem unlikely to sway from their position.
Whether the Vietnamese government will update their gambling laws to be less restrictive and a source of tax revenue is unknown. Until then, online bookies provide a safe platform for betting on sports or engaging in other gambling-related products.
