Cambodia downplays Vietnam’s casino pilot program

Vietnamese players may be Cambodia’s VIPs, but the government of Cambodia isn’t concerned—yet—with its neighbor’s plan to finally allow residents to gamble in select casinos.

Last week, the Vietnamese government announced it would allow citizens over 21 years old to play in local casinos from mid-March, as long as they have a monthly income of at least VND10 million (USD445).

This, analysts believe, may pose a problem for border casinos, especially those located in cities like Bavet, which is the international border gate between Cambodia and Vietnam. Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen warned that many gambling establishments will “struggle to survive over the duration of the three-year Vietnam locals pilot program.”

“We do expect the border casinos in cities like Bavet, Cambodia to bear the brunt of the downside as the border casinos are significantly easier to reach than Naga and have historically captured the lion’s share of Vietnamese customers,” Govertsen said in a note.