How to Start a Betting Business in Vietnam: A Complete Guide for 2026

Market Overview

• High demand for sports betting and online casino games: Lots of people want to bet on sports and play casino games online. They use secret apps to join despite bans, making demand huge. As per a report, the betting market has reached USD 556.9 million and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.18%, reaching $1,130.2 million between 2026 and 2034.

• Popular sports (Football, Badminton, eSports): Football matches pull big crowds, and betting on teams. Badminton games excite local fans to pick winners. Esports draws young gamers wagering on top players.

Regulatory Environment

• Gambling laws under Vietnam’s Penal Code: Strict old Vietnam gambling laws ban most betting to stop crime and keep money safe, with very limited allowance.

• Limited legal gambling options: State lotteries and sports pools are legal, and people eople can bet on them. Apart from it, nothing else is allowed.

• Why offshore operators dominate the market: No local sites can operate, so foreign setups take over by using VPNs and crypto for easy access to players who want to bet anyway.

Legality of Betting Business in Vietnam

• Current legal status: Is online betting legal in Vietnam? No—online betting fully breaks Vietnam’s Penal Code by banning all wagers except state lotteries and small sports pools, with players facing fines or jail for using foreign sites, while the government blocks betting pages and tracks users often.

• Penalties and restrictions: Players caught betting online face heavy fines, organizers or big losers risk jail time, banks quickly freeze gambling-linked accounts, and while VPNs help fans dodge blocks, they raise extra risks.

Offshore Licensing Options

• Curacao:Get a fast Vietnam-friendly license in just weeks at low cost for new sites targeting the Vietnamese market, with basic checks for VPN-based access and easy renewals to keep operations smooth long-term.

• Malta:Strict EU license builds trust with Vietnamese players through full audits proving fair football odds, opens Asian markets, and boosts loyalty despite higher fees.
• Isle of Man:Tech license fits live betting on badminton and esports with low taxes to save cash for Vietnam ops, random tests to stop illegitimate bets, and suits phone-first Vietnamese users.

• Why offshore licenses are used for Vietnam-targeted platforms: Vietnam offers no private betting licenses at all, so offshore keeps your site legal outside Vietnam, where players use VPNs and crypto to join easily while dodging local police and tapping huge demand.

Compliance Requirements

• KYC/AML: Scan Vietnamese IDs to check real players, track deposits for money laundering, block fakes and kids from betting, and keep Vietnam ops clean for license renewals.

• Player data protection: Encrypt all Vietnamese user info tightly, match global privacy rules to stop leaks, use firewalls to block hacks on phone logins, and build trust to keep players betting steady.

• Responsible gambling tools: Add deposit limits for Vietnamese bettors, self-exclusion buttons to stop overplaying fast, help links to local support groups, and cut addiction claims, plus follow Vietnam betting regulations.

Conduct Market Research

Know your players inside out before spending a dime—it’s like scouting the field before a big game.

• Understanding Vietnamese player behavior: Vietnamese bettors love mobile betting, with over 70% using phones for quick sessions. They prefer live sports like football (especially Premier League and V-League), basketball, and cockfighting, often betting small amounts frequently during evenings or weekends. Loyalty comes from fast payouts and bonuses, but trust is key due to past scam fears.
  
  
• Identifying high-demand betting categories: Top picks include football (60% of bets), e-sports (rising with youth), virtual sports, and casino games like baccarat or slots. Live betting on in-play events surges during major tournaments, while lotteries appeal to casual players. Focus on these for max engagement.
  

Choose Your Business Model

Pick a model that fits your budget and goals—think of it as choosing your weapon for battle.

• Online sportsbook: Online sports betting platform, ideal for Vietnam’s sports fans. Low entry cost, high volume from match-day rushes, but needs strong odds feeds.

• Online casino: Slots, poker, roulette—perfect for 24/7 play. Higher margins per player, but requires eye-catching games and RNG certification.

• Hybrid betting platform: Combines sportsbook and casino for one-stop fun. Best for retention, as players switch easily, but it demands more robust software.

Obtain an Offshore License

You can’t operate legally from Vietnam, so get a trusted offshore iGaming business Vietnam license to build credibility and access global tools.

• Documentation: Prepare business registration, proof of funds ($100K+ capital), background checks, gaming policies, and tech audits. Hire lawyers for Curacao or PAGCOR formats.

• Application process: Submit via license issuer portals (e.g., Curacao eGaming). Pay fees ($20K-$50K initial), undergo compliance review, and integrate AML/KYC software.

• Approval timeline: 4-8 weeks typically—faster for turnkey applicants. Annual renewals cost $10K-$30K, with audits ensuring ongoing fairness.

Select a Reliable Sportsbook Software Provider

Your software is the engine—choose betting software provider Vietnam wisely to avoid breakdowns.

• Turnkey vs white label: Turnkey is fully ready-made (quick launch, less custom), white label lets you brand it fully (more flexible, mid-price). Pick based on your requirement.

• Essential features to look for: 50+ sports, live betting, mobile-first UI, API integrations, 99.9% uptime, and risk tools. Bonus engines and multi-language support seal the deal.

• Localization support for Vietnamese players: Your sportsbook should have Vietnamese language, VND currency, local time zones, and cultural promotions. Providers with Asia expertise, like GammaStack, excel here.

Set Up Secure Payment Methods

Payments build trust—make deposits/withdrawals lightning-fast and safe.

• E-wallets (MoMo, ZaloPay, ViettelPay): Vietnam’s favourites—Most users have these wallets. Integrate them into your sportsbook, for instant, fee-low transfers; limits start at 50,000 VND.

• Bank transfers: Link with Vietcombank, BIDV(Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam) for bigger withdrawals. Takes 1-3 days, but popular for high-payments.

• Crypto payment options: Make payments through Bitcoin, USDT, etc., via different payment gateways that facilitate anonymous and quick transactions for tech-savvy players, putting off bank inspection.

• Fraud prevention tools: Use AI chargeback detection, velocity checks, and 3D Secure to block bad actors, keeping your funds safe.

Build a Strong Risk Management Framework

Protect your profits like a vault while setting up an iGaming business Vietnam—bad bets can sink you fast.

• Odds management: Real-time compilers adjust lines, auto-boost for big events, and proxy feeds from 10+ providers for sharp pricing.

• Player profiling: Track habits (e.g., bonus abusers) with segmentation; set dynamic limits to cap losses from whales or sharps.

• Anti-fraud systems: AI flags patterns like multi-accounting or matched betting; integrate KYC verification and geoblocking for Vietnam-only access.

Launch & Promote Your Betting Platform

Go live with a bang—smart marketing turns visitors into loyal bettors.

• SEO and content marketing: Target relevant keywords with blogs on tips, odds guides to successfully start betting business in Vietnam. Localized content ranks high on Google.vn.

• Affiliate partnerships: Team with influencers and sitesto drive Vietnam-focused networks and drive quality traffic.

• Social media strategies (within legal boundaries): Use Zalo, Facebook for teasers, memes, and live streams (no direct gambling ads). Build communities with prediction contests following Vietnam gambling regulations and ads for boosted engagement.

Mobile-first UI/UX:

• Pages load fast on slow networks with VPNs.

• Thumb taps place bets in seconds anywhere.

• Fits small screens for young Vietnamese users.

Multi-language support (Vietnamese + English):

• Full switch to Vietnamese script and terms.

• English backup for expats or pros.

• Clear rules and local language avoid confusion.

Real-time odds and live betting:

• Odds update live during football matches.

• Bet mid-game on the next goal or point.

• Cash-out buttons lock quick wins.

• Keeps Vietnamese fans glued to the action.

Localized payment gateways:

• Link popular Vietnamese e-wallets for deposits.

• Crypto hides cash from bank blocks.

• Fast withdrawals build player loyalty.

• Low fees match local spending habits.

Player account management (PAM):

• Tracks bets, limits, and balances easily.

• Auto-blocks risky play patterns.

• Self-service for deposits and checks.

• Cuts fraud on Vietnamese accounts.

CRM and loyalty programs:

• Sends personal bonuses via SMS.

• VIP points for top Vietnamese bettors.

• Tracks habits for custom offers.

• Boosts retention and deposits.

Reporting and analytics dashboard:

• Charts show hot bets like badminton.

• Spots fraud or big winners early.

• Daily reports guide promo spends.

• Helps scale Vietnam ops smart.

Strict rule limits:

Vietnam says no to most online betting for its people, except for a few small games like lotteries. People running betting sites from outside have to hide their work carefully so the government doesn’t shut them down or fine them a lot. They use special tricks to let only local players join safely.

Hard time with money transfers:

Local banks don’t like helping with betting money, so you have to use phone apps for payments or digital coins. These can cost extra fees, take too long sometimes, and the government watches closely, which scares players and slows everything down.

Lots of big competition:

Many huge betting sites from other countries already have tons of players and spend big on ads. New small ones find it tough to get noticed because people stick with the ones they know, which give better deals and fun stuff.

Need super safety online

Fraudsters try to break into betting sites to steal info or money, especially during big sports days. You must lock everything tight with strong shields and watch all the time, or one problem can make players leave forever and cause big trouble.

Large mobile-first population:

Most users bet on phones daily. Quick apps pull them in easily for sports and casino fun.

Growing interest in esports betting:

Young gamers wager on video contests. Fast growth hits new crowds with live plays.

High engagement during major sports events

Fans bet wildly on big football or badminton matches. Action spikes huge during peaks.

Rising adoption of digital payments:

E-wallets and crypto skip bank blocks. Fast cash keeps deposits flowing steadily.

Potential regulatory reforms:

Leaders may ease old bans soon. This opens local sites with taxes and safety nets for fans.

Growth of crypto-friendly betting:

Digital coins rise fast. They hide bets from banks and speed cash for more action.

AI-driven personalization:

Smart tools learn players’ likes. They send custom odds and tips to boost fun and bets.

Expansion of virtual sports and micro-betting:

Computer games run non-stop. Tiny bets on single plays add quick thrills anytime.

What licenses and certifications are required to open a betting business in Vietnam?

Here are some of licenses required to open a betting in Vietnam:

• Sports Betting License issued by Ministry of finance
• Investment Registration Certificate(IRC)
• Casino Operating License
• Technology Certifications
• AML/KYC Compliance Certifications
• Online Platform License

Which is the best sports betting software provider in Vietnam?

Gamma Stack is one of the leading sports betting software providers in Vietnam.

What is the cost of starting a betting company in Vietnam?

The cost of starting a betting company in Vietnam depends on multiple factors including the following:

• Licensing fees for sports betting
• Sports data integration costs
• Compliance with betting laws
• Partnerships with teams or leagues
• Development of live betting features
• Risk management for sports events
• Advertising on sports platforms
• Sponsorship deals with sports entities

To get the exact quote, send a mail at [email protected].