Good Morning. Pay to play. That’s the idea behind Vietnam’s proposed casino entry fee increase for locals, says an investment expert. The move should help filter out lower-spending punters, while also promising up-front cash to operators, increasing revenue collection and streamlining oversight. However, it remains to be seen exactly where locals will be allowed to play. Meanwhile, in the world of results, Light & Wonder came out strong in 2Q25, despite a slight dip in revenue. The group’s Grover Gaming acquisition helped contribute to solid earnings in its gaming segment, even as the group aims to strengthen its ranking by delisting from the Nasdaq to focus solely on its ASX position.
What you need to know
- New entry fees in Vietnam are seen as a regulatory filter, not a prohibition, aligning with Singapore’s controlled casino access model.
- Light & Wonder continued to see growth in 2Q25, boosted by its Grover acquisition; eyes sole listing on ASX by year-end.
On the radar
- South Korea visa exemption for Chinese tour groups starts September 29th.
- Thailand continues its crackdown on gambling websites.
- PH Senator asks why GSIS bought online gaming company shares.
- Jumbo Interactive on Forbes Asia’s 200 Best Under A Billion ranking.
- Vietnam sees 23% increase in foreign tourists in first seven months of 2025.
- Thai opposition questions timing of poker tournament legalization.
AGB Intelligence
VIETNAM
New entry fees to act as regulatory filter: Expert
The proposed new entry fees for locals at Vietnam casinos are more about simplifying oversight and improving revenue capture, rather than acting as a prohibitive measure. An investment expert calls the move a “filtering mechanism” and a “social safeguard”. The proposed levy increase is also expected to facilitate access for local punters who previously found it difficult to justify their income, as well as filtering out lower-spending players who shy away from paying up front.
Corporate Spotlight
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Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud. Asia Pacific’s iGaming market is expanding extremely fast, and a new wave of digital-savvy players is pushing demand through the roof. But the rise in adoption has outpaced regulation in many markets, and fraudsters have taken notice.
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