PM approves plan to install airport slot machines
PM approves plan to install airport slot machines
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has permitted international airports in Viet Nam to install slot machines for use by foreign passengers, the government office said on November 21.
The office said Dung has approved the Airports Corporation of Vietnam's proposal to operate slot machines for its international passengers.
The airports in Las Vegas and Frankfurt are famous for their slot machines.
While gambling by foreigners is permitted, the country still bans gambling by Vietnamese citizens. The 43 slot machines and eight casinos in the country are meant only for foreigners. PM Dung said the slot machines should be located in isolated areas in airports and used by foreign passengers only.
According to the finance ministry (MoF), revenue from casinos reached VND1.38 trillion (US$61.4 million) last year, while the neighbouring Cambodian government earned more than $25 million in tax revenues from casino operations in 2014, a 12 per cent increase over 2013.
PM Dung also told MoF to get feedback from Deputy Prime Ministers and leaders of ministries for inclusion in a draft decree to amend Decree No. 86/2013/ND-CP, dated July 2013, that regulates gaming by foreigners.
Viet Nam has 21 airports, including 11 international airports.
