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Vietnam Has a Very Different Definition of “Online”

In Vietnam, the emergence of internet technology has been a bit later than many of the rest of the world’s nations, but the effects of broadband and WiFi are undeniable. One of the most significant trends to emerge as a result is the peculiar Vietnamese online casino industry. Online slots and casino gambling are already very popular with Vietnamese gamblers, owning to the culture’s love of betting their luck. The world is full of variation, however, and it is very clear that Vietnamese gambling is TOTALLY different from that taking place in the Western sphere.

First of all, “online gambling” isn’t even completely online. There is a definite land-based element to Vietnamese gaming, one that unfortunately seems to involve copious amounts of corruption and intimidation. In Vietnam, it is not at all unheard of for collectors to show up at the front door demanding the repayment of gambling debts, and thefts occurring towards the same end. Players have to pay a deposit to play, and it is normal for the deposit to be collected in person and winnings hand-delivered, due to the sub-par electronic payment processing methods available in the country.

There is such a thing as gambling on credit, but this option is only made available to established gamblers with a proven track record for trustworthiness, and oftentimes players will have to be introduced by another player with an “in” before credit is made available. The Ministry of Public Safety says that online slots and casino gambling is such a new thing that they have not yet formulated a plan as to how they will deal with the outbreak of related crime.

Back to February 2009 Archive.