The Vietnamese government has recently officially issued Decree No. 86/2026/ND-CP, systematically revising the management system for prize-based electronic games open to foreigners, and simultaneously adjusting related clauses of the 2021 Decree No. 121. The new regulations will officially take effect on May 15, 2026, with a very clear overall tone: no longer minor tweaks, but a simultaneous tightening across personnel qualifications, application processes, and renewal conditions. As industry insiders say, this decree has redrawn a higher starting line for the entire industry. In the future, having capital alone may not be enough to compete in the Vietnamese market.
Personnel Threshold Upgrade: Neither education nor experience can be lacking
The new regulations on personnel requirements are a typical example of "fine management." The past approach of "just having relevant experience is fine" has been completely blocked, replaced by a rigid set of hard criteria. According to the decree, personnel involved in the management or operation of prize-based electronic game venues must simultaneously meet the following conditions:
• Possess full civil capacity, no ongoing criminal prosecutions or serving sentences, and not restricted from practicing by the court;
• Educational requirements directly raised to university level or above;
• Must have at least 3 years of relevant industry management or operational experience.
This combination of measures means that the old paths of relying solely on seniority or pushing people through connections are basically blocked. The regulatory intent is straightforward: to raise the professional threshold and compliance awareness of practitioners from the ground up.
Application Process Digitalization: Flexibility and Rigor Coexist
In the application phase, the new regulations do leave some space for facilitation. Businesses can submit their qualification application materials not only through traditional counter submissions but can choose from on-site submission, mailing, or uploading through the Ministry of Finance's online approval system three methods. This adjustment is in line with the overall trend of digitalization of Vietnamese government services, indeed saving a lot of legwork for businesses applying across regions.
However, a smooth process does not mean lax review. The Ministry of Finance, upon receiving complete materials, has a maximum of 90 days approval period to complete the review and issuance of licenses, and if there are missing materials, a notice to supplement them will be issued within 10 working days. The entire rhythm is clearly written, giving the regulatory authorities ample time to check, and also letting applicants know the timeline.
Tightening of Renewal Process: Historical Blemishes Become Fatal
If personnel thresholds and application processes are considered progressively tightened, then the renewal process clauses are arguably the most deterrent part of the entire decree. The new regulations clearly state that to successfully renew their operating license, businesses must prove they "continuously have strength," not just maintain basic operations. Specific requirements include:
• Owning officially recognized five-star tourist accommodation facilities;
• Equipped with a standard operating venue and professional management team;
• Registered capital must not be less than 500 billion Vietnamese dong (about 150 million yuan).
What makes existing operators even more nervous is the "historical traceability clause." The decree specifies that if a business has had its license revoked within 10 years before applying for renewal, or has been suspended from operation twice or more, it will directly lose its renewal eligibility, with no room for maneuver. This clause hangs a sword of Damocles over all license holders, as every past violation could potentially become a fatal wound in the future.
Significance Greater Than Short-Term Impact
Overall, the policy signals released by Decree No. 86 are more intriguing than the text itself. Vietnam is implementing full-chain access control on the prize-based electronic gaming industry for foreigners from four aspects: personnel quality, capital depth, venue standards, and compliance records. PASA's official website, while tracking Southeast Asian gambling regulatory dynamics, noted that Vietnam's move echoes recent policy directions in several countries in the region, reflecting the collective recognition of emerging market regulators on the path of "high standards for sustainability."
The industry may not see a large-scale reshuffle in the short term, but the raising of entry thresholds is already a foregone conclusion. For potential entrants still watching, the past strategy of "trying the waters and adjusting while doing" is basically declared ineffective. Only those who truly have financial strength, management capability, and compliance baseline can stay in the game for the long term.
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