Nghị định 06/2017/ND-CP

DECREE

ON BUSINESS OF BETTING ON HORSE RACING, GREYHOUND RACING AND INTERNATIONAL SOCCER

Pursuant to the Law of Government organization dated June 19, 2015;

Pursuant to the Law on Enterprise dated November 26, 2014;

Pursuant to the Law on investment dated November 26, 2014;

Pursuant to the Law on Bidding dated November 26, 2013;

Pursuant to the Law on Actions against administrative violations dated June 20, 2012;

Pursuant to the Law on Advertising dated June 21, 2012;

Pursuant to the Law on Commerce dated June 14, 2005;

At the request of the Minister of Finance;

The Government hereby promulgates the Decree on business of betting on horse racing, greyhound racing and international soccer.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Governing scope and regulated entities

1. Governing scope

This Decree provides for the operation, management of operation, operation management and imposition of penalties for administrative violations in the business of betting on horse racing and greyhound racing and pilot international soccer betting in Vietnam.

2. Regulated entities

a) Enterprises doing the business of betting on horse racing, greyhound racing and international soccer;

b) Persons allowed to place bets;

c) Authorities relevant to the licensing, management, supervision and inspection of the business of betting and imposition of penalties for administrative violations therein;

d) Other persons and organizations relevant to the business of betting.

Article 2. Interpretation of terms

In this Decree, these terms can be construed as follows:

1. “Betting” means a kind of gambling where the gamblers predict the results of sport or entertaining events to place bets. Bettors who make a correct prediction shall be pay out in cash or in kind which may be converted into cash depending on the results of the event according to the betting rules.

2. The “business of betting” means the organization and provision of bets for gamblers in the principle that the gamblers buy the bet ticket and receive betting payout according to this Decree.

3. “Betting events” means horse racing, greyhound racing and international soccer matches and tournaments for which bets are taken by bet-organizing enterprises according to this Decree.

4. “International soccer” contains soccer matches and tournaments which are held outside of Vietnam or in Vietnam by international organizations.

5. “Event organization board” means a unit or a division responsible for organizing "betting events” to serve the business of betting.

6. “Payout rate” means the ratio of the total betting payout to the total wagers the bettors place that the bet-organizing enterprise collect from the bettor.

7. “Bet rate” means the ratio of the wager the bettor places to the payout the winning bettor will receive.

8. “Fixed pay-out” means a method where the values of the prizes given to the bettors are determined on the basis of the betting rate announced by the bet-organizing enterprise by each period.

9. “Pay-out depending on revenues” means a method where the values of the prizes given to the bettors are determined on the basis of the revenues from the sale of bet tickets and the number of bettors winning the same prizes. At the end of a betting event, prizes without receiver shall be included in the revenues of the next betting event.

10. A “jockey” means a person riding a racing horse who satisfies the requirements specified in this Decree.

11. A “race” means a competition among racing horses or racing greyhounds whose result is use for betting business.

12. A “betting account” means an account of a bettor used for placing bets according to Article 17 of this Decree.

13. “Bettors" mean persons eligible to place bets according to regulations in clause 1 Article 7 of this Decree.

14. “Terminal devices" mean electronic equipment used for recording bets, printing bet tickets for bettors and checking winning tickets which are directly operated by the bet-organizing enterprise or bet ticket agents.

15. The “Certificate of investment registration” means a paper or electronic document recording the information about the investment project that the investor registered according to laws on investment.

Article 3. Principles of betting business

1. Betting business is a conditional business which is not encouraged and subject to the strict control by competent authorities to assure that such business is fully compliant with this Decree and relevant law provisions.

2. Only enterprises having the Certificate of eligibility for betting business issued according to this Decree and enterprises specified in clause 1 Article 79 of this Decree shall be allowed to run a betting business.

3. The running of a betting business must ensure the transparency, objectiveness and honesty, ensuring the lawful rights and interests of relevant parties.

4. Bet tickets and prizes shall be bought and paid out in Vietnam dong.

Article 4. Prohibited acts in betting

1. Running a betting business without a Certificate of eligibility for betting business, excluding those specified in clause 1 Article 79 of this Decree.

2. Running a betting business inconsistently with the contents licensed by the competent authorities according to laws.

3. Running betting business and placing bets on horse racing, greyhound racing and international soccer other than those permitted by this Decree in any shape or form and by any means.

4. Lease out, lending or transfer of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business.

5. Running betting business while the Certificate of eligibility for betting business is suspended or revoked.

6. Running a betting business without a Certificate of fulfillment of requirements for security and order, excluding enterprises specified in clause 1 Article 79 of this Decree.

7. Running betting business while the Certificate of fulfillment of requirements for security and order is suspended or revoked.

8. Placing bets while not being eligible as prescribed in clause 1 Article 7 of this Decree.

9. Allowing another person who is not eligible to place bets as specified in clause 1 Article 7 of this Decree to borrow or use personal information to register a bet account as prescribed in Article 17 of this Decree.

10. Contributing in illegal arrangement or agreement to fix the result of the betting event.

11. Lending money to gamblers, applicable to bet-organizing enterprises.

12. Permitting persons banned from placing bets prescribed in clause 2 Article 7 of this Decree to place bets under any form or reason.

13. Taking advantage of the betting business to take bets in contravention of this Decree.

14. Providing information about the betting ratios established by the bet-organizing enterprises without their permission or authority.

15. Taking advantage of the betting business to carry out the money-laundering.

16. Taking advantage of sales promotion to take bets illegally aiming to earn profits from collecting money from customers.

17. Causing public disorder at horse racing venue.

18. Other prohibited acts prescribed in relevant laws.

Chapter II

ORGANIZATION OF BETTING BUSINESS

Article 5. Types of betting

Permissible types of betting include:

1. Horse racing betting.

2. Greyhound racing betting.

3. International soccer betting.

Article 6. Bets

1. Regarding betting on horse/greyhound racing: the bets shall be the made regarding the rank of the racing horses/greyhounds when they cross the finish line in a race organized by the bet-organizing enterprise according to regulations in Chapter III of this Decree.

2. Regarding betting on international football: the bets shall be made regarding the score of a match or a half of a match, events in a match and ranks in a tournament. The matches/tournaments being the basis for betting business shall be international football matches/tournaments announced and approved by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall issue the list of international football matches and tournaments which are selected to provide the basis for the business of betting on international football.

Article 7. Bettors

1. Bettors shall be at least 21 year olds and have fully legal capacity as prescribed by law.

2. Persons not allowed to place bets:

a) Persons not satisfying the requirement specified in clause 1 of this Article;

b) Managers, directors and employees of bet-organizing enterprises and their parents, spouses and children must not place bets through the enterprises they work for;

c) Members of the Race surveillance councils of horse races or greyhound races and their parents, spouses and children must not place bets on the races which are under their surveillance;

d) Jockeys, players, referees and their parent, spouse and children must not place bets on races and soccer matches and tournaments that they participate or control;

dd) Persons whose parents, spouses or children who have fully legal capacity or who themselves request the bet-organizing enterprise to prevent them from placing bets;

e) Persons who are liable to criminal prosecution or have incurred penalties which have not been expunged; persons who are incurring the measure of education at reform schools or rehabilitation centers.

3. Bettors shall have the following rights:

a) Get their wins certified and fully paid out by bet-organizing enterprises according to the announced betting rules;

b) Any bettor being a foreigner or a Vietnamese overseas citizen who wins a bet may buy foreign currencies at a bank which is eligible for foreign exchange transactions to transfer such money abroad according to law on foreign exchange control;

c) Have lawful rights arising from the placement of bets and the confidentiality of personal winning information protected by law;

d) File complaints against the enterprises or denunciations of prize payout results and cheatings and violations committed by the organizing enterprises and relevant entities;

dd) Enjoy other lawful benefits prescribed in laws and the announced betting rules.

4. Bettors shall have the following obligations:

a) Present identity papers to prove the eligibility to place bets at the request of competent authorities;

b) Comply with law on betting business and the announced betting rules;

c) Fulfill tax obligations towards the State under applicable laws on taxes;

d) Not commit frauds in the course of bet placement;

dd) Keep the bet tickets to receive winning prizes.

Article 8. Limit in amount of bets

1. Each wager must not be less than VND 10,000 (ten thousand dong).

2. Each wager on each type of bet through a bet-organizing enterprise must not exceed VND 1,000,000 (one million dong).

3. The Ministry of Finance shall preside over and cooperate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Public Security requesting the Government to decide on adjustment of minimum and maximum bet specified in clause 1 and clause 2 of this Article for each period.

Article 9. Betting rules

1. The enterprise shall issue the betting rules for each type of bet. Betting rules must be conformant with laws and include the following contents:

a) The name of the type of bet;

b) Description of the type of bet;

c) Persons eligible to place bets;

d) Methods for placing bets;

dd) Time when the bet taking starts and finishes;

e) The determination of the results for prize pay-out;

g) Prize pay-out method;

h) Payout percentage;

i) Cases eligible for refund of wagers;

k) Requirements on bet tickets for winning prize payout;

l) Dispute handling methods;

m) Rights and obligations of bettors;

n) Other provisions in accordance with Vietnam’s law to serve the management of the enterprise.

2. At least 05 working days before the day on which the betting business begins, the bet-organizing enterprise shall:

a) Send betting rules to the Ministry of Finance, the Service of Finance and the supervisory tax authority of local area for surveillance and management;

b) Publish the betting rules at the racecourses (applicable to horse racing and greyhound racing betting), the main office of the enterprise and the fixed ticket sales booth.

3. If the competent authority finds that the betting rules are not conformant with regulations in clause 1 of this Article, within 05 working days from the day on which a written request for amendment to the betting rules enclosed with the guidance thereon sent from the competent authority are received, the enterprise shall make amendment according to clause 1 of this Article.

4. If any contents in the betting rules is amended or replaced, within 05 working days from the day of modification, the enterprise shall send the revised betting rules to the Ministry of Finance, the Service of Finance and the supervisory tax authority of local area and a document specifying the amended and/or replaced provisions and the reasons therefor. Concurrently, the enterprise shall publish the revised betting rules according to point b clause 2 of this Article.

Article 10. Prize pay-out method

1. Methods for pay-out of winning prizes:

a) Fixed pay-out method;

b) Method of pay-out depending on revenues;

c) Combination of the two methods specified in points a and b of this clause.

2. Pursuant to the pay-out methods specified in clause 1 of this Article, the enterprise shall select one suitable for each type of bets.

Article 11. Payout percentage

1. Regarding the fixed pay-out method: the payout shall depend on the bet rates, provided that the planned payout is at least 65% of the receipt from the sale of tickets of each type of bets.

2. Regarding the method of pay-out depending on revenues: the planned payout established by the enterprise shall be at least 65% of the receipt from the sale of tickets for each type of bets.

Article 12. Sale of bet tickets

1. Bet tickets may be sold as follows:

a) Via terminal devices;

b) Via telephones (landline phone or mobile phone), excluding the method of selling bet tickets via the Internet or online applications on telephone. The abovementioned selling method shall be applied at least 01 year after the method of sale of bet tickets via terminal devices is applied.

2. Technical requirements for betting system

a) Hardware (server, terminal devices):

- Having determined origin, being legally imported to Vietnam (in case of import from foreign countries);

- Satisfying the G7 standards and being enclosed with sufficient guiding documents which contain the description of technical characteristics, the installing method, details of parts of the equipment, method for replacing or repairing parts of the equipment, a list of enclosed spare parts and the operation and maintenance methods;

- Being installed according to the technical parameters and the guidance of the manufacturers to ensure the safe and stable operation;

- Having capacity for integrating at least 02 data output channels with the server system to maintain at least one backup channel upon the malfunction of the main channel;

- Having a backup server in sync with the main server to archive players’ bets.

b) Software:

- Being copyrighted according to laws;

- Being designed according to law and betting rules applicable to each bets;

- Ensuring the prompt and accurate recording of betting data of bettors, the accurate calculation of the revenues and value of the winning prizes, the checking of parameters of the winning tickets;

- Having high security level to prevent the attack or alteration from the outside which may falsify data about the betting and other data serving the betting organization.

c) Data transfer (including terminal-device system and telephone system):

- Having high stability, having data flow and transfer rate for prompt information exchange and processing between the server, terminal devices, telephone system and equipment directly relevant to betting business;

- Ensuring the security of telephone service users’ information according to law;

- Ensuring to record fully and accurately the gamblers' betting information (in document or audio files) as the basis for the management, surveillance and prize pay-out by the bet-organizing enterprise.

Article 13. Betting area

The area for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing and international football shall be determined according to the bet ticket-selling methods specified in Article 12 of this Decree and the Certificate of eligibility for betting business. To be specific:

1. The area for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing may be located:

a) Within the racecourse of the enterprise according to this Decree where bet tickets are sold via terminal devices;

b) Outside the racecourses in Vietnam where bet tickets are sold via terminal devices and telephones. The betting business shall be run outside the racecourses in Vietnam only when it has been run within a racecourse for at least 01 year.

2. The area for the business of betting on international football may be located:

a) It several provinces or central-affiliated cities where bet tickets are sold via terminal devices. The Ministry of Finance shall preside over and cooperate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Public Security requesting the Prime Minister to select provinces and cities for pilot business of betting on international football;

b) In the whole Vietnam where bet tickets are sold via terminal devices and telephones.

Article 14. Fixed ticket sales booth

The enterprise may directly establish or select a bet ticket agent to establish a fixed bet ticket sales booths for selling bet tickets. The establishment of fixed ticket sales booths shall satisfy the following requirements:

1. Being located in the betting area specified in Article 13 of this Decree.

2. Ensuring that there is no school or public playground for kids within a radius of at least 500 m.

3. Ensuring the infrastructure’s capacity of transferring sufficiently and promptly the information of betting.

Article 15. Frequency of organization of betting and time of bet taking

1. The organization of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall be decided by the enterprise, provided that the maximum frequency does not exceed 03 days per week. Every horse or greyhound race serving the betting business must end before 11 p.m of the date of betting.

2. Time of beginning and ending of bet taking must satisfy the following requirements:

a) Regarding betting on horse and/or greyhound racing: bets on each race must be taken within 12 hours before the race starts;

b) Regarding betting on international football: bets shall be taken within the period since the event organizer announces the time and location of the event until 05 minute before the event ends.

Article 16. Bet tickets

1. Bet tickets may be issued in form of papers or electronic data depending on the selling methods prescribed in Article 12 of this Decree.

2. A paper ticket must include the following contents:

a) Name of the bet ticket issuer;

b) Name or code of the event;

c) Date and time of the event;

d) Choice of the bettor;

dd) Bet value;

e) Date and time of issue of the bet ticket;

g) Useful time of the bet ticket (if any);

h) Betting rates (if any);

i) Mark of the bet ticket agent or terminal device;

k) Numerical symbol, identification code of the bet ticket to prevent forging;

l) Other provisions in accordance with law to serve the management of the enterprise.

3. An electronic ticket must include the following contents:

a) Information specified in points a, b, c, d, dd, e, g, h and l clause 2 of this Article;

b) The bettor’s account number which is used for placing bets.

Article 17. Bettor’s account number used for placing bets

1. Any bettor wishing to place bets via telephones (landline phone or mobile phone) shall have a betting account registered with the bet-organizing enterprise.

2. When registering a betting account, the bettor shall make declaration and take legal responsibility for the accuracy of such declaration. A declaration shall include the following contents:

a) Full name of the bettor;

b) Date of birth;

c) ID number or passport number (applicable to foreigners), date and place of issue;

d) Place registered for placing bets;

dd) Number of account opened at a credit institution which is lawfully established and operated in Vietnam;

e) Name, address, phone and email address of relevant persons for contact in case of necessary;

g) Other contents in accordance with law to serve the management of the enterprise.

3. When the bettor has registered for opening a betting account, the enterprise shall issue a code and initial password for the bettor to place bets.  The bettor shall be responsible for managing and protecting his/her account during the use thereof.

4. The payment and pay-out between the bettors and bet-organizing enterprises shall be carried out via their accounts opened at credit institutions which are lawfully established and operated in Vietnam.

Article 18. Bet ticket agent

1. Any enterprise running the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing may select an organizer and/or an individual to sell bet tickets as an agent. Any enterprise running the business of betting on international football may select an organizer and/or an individual to sell bet tickets as an agent.

2. Requirements for being a bet ticket agent, applicable to individuals:

a) Being a 18 year-old Vietnamese citizen, residing in Vietnam and having full legal capacity according to law;

b) Satisfying requirements for payment obligation according to law on secured transactions to ensure the fulfillment of payment obligation towards the bet-organizing enterprise;

c) Owning a fixed ticket sales booth specified in Article 14 of this Decree.

3. Requirements for being a bet ticket agent, applicable to organizations:

a) Being an economic organization which is lawfully established and operated in Vietnam;

b) Satisfying requirements for payment obligation according to law on secured transactions to ensure the fulfillment of payment obligation towards the bet-organizing enterprise;

c) Owning a fixed ticket sales booth specified in Article 14 of this Decree.

4. Bet ticket agents shall fulfill tax obligations towards the state according to law.

Article 19. Determination of the results for prize payment

1. The enterprise shall publish the results of each betting event immediately at the end of the event as the basis for paying out prizes to the winning bettor. The publication of results of the betting event shall be pursuant to:

a) Regarding betting on horse and/or greyhound racing: the result of the horse/greyhound race determined by the referee and certified by the Race surveillance council according to clause 3 Article 29 of this Decree which is officially announced for the first time;

b) Regarding betting on international football: the conclusion of the referee of the match, applicable to bets made regarding the result of an international football match, or the result which is officially announced for the first time by the Organizer, applicable to bets made regarding the result relevant to an international football tournament.

2. The enterprise shall take responsibility for the accuracy and honesty of the announced results of the betting event.

Article 20. Betting payout

1. Time limit for receiving a winning prize shall be 30 days from the day on which the result of the betting event is announced or from the day on which the bet ticket expires. Passing such time limit, the winning ticket shall be invalid and cannot be used for receiving prizes.

2. The pay-out of a prize to a winning bettor shall be conducted at the main office or a branch of the bet-organizing enterprise, the place of bet taking or an authorized bet ticket agent or via the account of the bettor opened at a credit institution which is lawfully established and operated in Vietnam.

3. Prizes shall be paid out to the winning bettor not later than 05 working days from the day on which the application for prize pay-out from the bettor is received.

4. If any dispute or complaint arises, time limit for pay-out of prize shall be extended until the official conclusion of the competent authority is issued.

Article 21. Refund of wagers

1. The enterprise shall refund the wagers to all the bettors in any of the following cases:

a) There is change in the place of organization of the betting event;

b) The betting event is announced to be cancelled without a plan on reorganization of the betting event or with a plan on reorganization of the event but the location is changed again or the organization time is more than 36 hours after the former time;

c) The race surveillance council refuse to certify the result of the race;

d) The enterprise commits a violation against the race charter;

dd) Other special cases prescribed by law.

2. The enterprise shall refund the ticket fees to bettors who placed bets on racing horses/greyhounds which are eliminated from the race before the race starts under the decision of the referee and/or the race surveillance council.

3. Tickets shall fully satisfy the requirements on bet tickets for winning prize payout prescribed by law to be eligible for refunds.

Article 22. Internal regulations on anti-money laundering

1. The enterprise shall establish and issue internal regulations on anti-money laundering according to Law on anti-laundering and guiding documents.

2. The enterprise shall promptly made amendment and/or modification of internal regulations on anti-money laundering according to the change in law, in the organizational structure, scope or the money laundering risk level. The enterprise shall disseminate internal regulations on anti-money laundering to divisions, officials and employees responsible for anti-money laundering.

Article 23. Rights and obligations of bet-organizing enterprises

1. Any bet-organizing enterprise shall have the following rights:

a) Hold betting activities according to the issued Certificate of eligibility for betting business;

b) Refuse to take bets from forbidden persons prescribed in clause 2 Article 7 of this Decree.

2. Any bet-organizing enterprise shall have the following obligations:

a) Comply with regulations on betting business specified in this Decree and relevant law provisions;

b) Hold betting activities according to the announced betting rules;

c) Take measures to ensure that only permissible persons specified in Article 7 of this Decree are allowed to place bets;

d) Pay out fully and promptly winning prizes to bettors. Certify the payout at the request of bettors;

dd) Provide papers relevant to the payout given to bettors being foreigners or overseas Vietnamese citizens as the basis for the bank eligible for foreign exchange transactions to sell foreign currencies and transfer them abroad or issue the certificate of bringing foreign currencies abroad to such persons;

e) Keep secret of the winning information at the request of bettors, unless competent authorities request such information for inspection, investigation and surveillance according to law;

g) Handle disputes and complaints sent by bettors according to the announced betting rules and law provisions;

h) Fulfill tax liabilities and other relevant law provisions during the business;

i) Take anti-money laundering measures according to law;

k) Take measures for security and social order and safety according to law;

l) Propagate, warn and guide bettors to control their betting suitable for their incomes;

m) Take responsibility before Vietnam's law for its betting business.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF HORSE AND/OR GREYHOUND RACES TO SERVE THE BUSINESS OF BETTING THEREON

Article 24. Requirements for organizing horse and/or greyhound races

1. Only enterprises having the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing as prescribed in this Decree and enterprises specified in clause 1 Article 79 of this Decree may organize horse and/or greyhound races and use their results for betting.

2. The enterprise shall organize horse and/or greyhound races at racecourses licensed by competent authorities according to law.

3. A horse/greyhound race shall be organized only when the following requirements are fully satisfied:

a) There is racing charter established and issued by the enterprise;

b) There is a list of racing horses/greyhounds and jockeys registered in the race and information relevant thereto which is published not later than 24 hours before the beginning of the first race of the day;

c) Racing horses/greyhounds and jockeys registered in the race must fully satisfy the requirements prescribed by law and racing charter;

d) There are referees and race surveillance council as prescribed in this Decree;

dd) There are sufficient starting equipment and cameras to determine the horses/greyhounds finishing the race which are well operating, ensuring the accuracy and honesty in the organization of the race and determination of the racing results.

4. Races shall be organized according to the procedures specified in the racing charter issued by the enterprise.

Article 25. Racing charter

1. Any enterprise running a business of betting on horse/greyhound racing shall establish a Racing charter which shall be approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and issued. Racing charter shall be conformable with law and shall include the following contents:

a) Requirements for racing horses/greyhounds;

b) Requirements for jockeys;

c) Procedures for registration of racing horses/greyhounds and jockeys;

d) Procedures for ranking and arrangement of racing schedule for such horses/greyhounds;

dd) Procedures for inspection of racing horses/greyhounds before and after the race and the determination of racing horses/greyhounds ineligible for participate in a race;

e) Responsibilities and powers of horses'/greyhounds’ owners, jockeys and referees;

g) Procedures for organization of a race and the determination of racing horses/greyhounds finishing a race;

h) Persons entitled to make final decision on the racing results;

i) Winning prizes and the division of the prize between the bet-organizing enterprise and the horses/greyhounds owners;

k) Violations against regulations and handling measures therefor;

l) Dispute handling;

m) Other provisions in accordance with law to serve the management of the enterprise.

2. At least 05 working days before the day on which the betting business begins, the bet-organizing enterprise shall:

a) Send the Racing charter to the Race surveillance council according to regulations in Article 29 of this Decree;

b) Publish the Racing charter at the racecourse, the main office of the enterprise, fixed ticket sales booths and on the enterprise's website (if any).

3. Any amendment to the Racing charter shall be approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The enterprise running a business of betting on horse/greyhound racing shall send an updated Racing charter to the Race surveillance council not later than 24 hours before the time the race starts. Concurrently, the enterprise shall publish the revised Racing charter according to point b clause 2 of this Article.

Article 26. Racing horses/greyhounds

1. The enterprise shall specify the requirements for racing horses/greyhounds which are used for the business of betting on horse/greyhound racing and the following requirements:

a) Such racing horses shall be those which have been broken in and trained for racing;

b) Such racing greyhounds shall be greyhounds which have been broken in and trained for racing.

2. Racing horses and/or greyhounds participating in each race shall be registered with the enterprise running the business of betting on horse/greyhound racing according to the racing charter and have separate name and number for identification when they cross the finish line.

3. The referee and the race surveillance council may apply for examination of any racing horse/greyhound in case of necessary or if any sign of cheat is found. Violations shall be handled according to the Racing charter and law provisions.

Article 27. Jockeys

1. The enterprise shall establish requirements for jockeys who riding horses in races serving the business of betting on horse/greyhound racing; such requirements shall be issued after being approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Any jockey shall satisfy the following requirements:

a) Being employees as prescribed by the Labor Code;

b) Having a Jockey certificate issued by an enterprise running the business of betting on horse/greyhound racing or a training institution providing jockey training;

c) Not being family of any racing horse’s owner, including spouse, parent, adoptive parent, adoptive child or natural brother or sister, whose horse participates in the race.

2. During the race, jockeys must fully comply with regulations in the Racing charter. Violations shall be handled according to the Racing charter and law provisions.

3. At least 05 working days before a horse race is organized, the enterprise running the business of betting on horse racing shall send a list of jockeys to the race surveillance council for management.

Article 28. Referee

1. A referee shall be selected by the enterprise running the business of betting on horse/greyhound racing and satisfy the requirements specified by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

2. The enterprise shall arrange sufficient referees to ensure the tight surveillance from the inspection of racing horses/greyhounds, leading of racing horses/greyhounds to the starting line, the supervision during the development of the race and the determination of racing horses/greyhounds crossing the finish line. A Referee board shall be established which includes a main referee to make final decisions on behalf of the Referee board and take responsibility for its decisions.

3. At least 05 working days before a greyhound race is organized, the enterprise running the business of betting on greyhound racing shall send a list of referees to the race surveillance council for management.

Article 29. Race surveillance council

1. People’s Committees of the provinces where the racecourses are located shall establish Race surveillance council on the basis of the request of the Service of Finance.

2. The Race surveillance council shall consist of representatives of the Service of Finance, the Services of Culture, Sports and Tourism, provincial Police office, the Service of Agriculture and Rural development and enterprises running the business of betting on horse/greyhound racing. Depending on the scale of the betting business and the actual conditions of specific province, the People's Committee of province shall decide the composition of the Race surveillance council provided that the system is streamlined while the efficiency is ensured.

3. The Race surveillance council shall have the following functions, tasks and powers:

a) Check the compliance with requirements for organization of horse/greyhound racing according to Article 24 of this Decree. If the enterprise is not eligible to organize a horse/greyhound race, the Race surveillance council shall make a record and request the enterprise to suspend the race to apply for consideration and handling by competent authorities according to law.

b) Directly supervise the organization of horse/greyhound racing according to the announced Racing charter;

c) Append signature on the racing result minute;

d) Carry out other functions and tasks prescribed by law.

4. Operation of the Race surveillance council

a) The Race surveillance shall have tasks and powers specified in clause 3 of this Article.

b) The supervision and inspection of the Race surveillance council shall be pursuant to law on betting business, the Operation regulation of the Race surveillance council issued by the People's Committee of province on the basis of the request of the Service of Finance and the announced Racing charter.

c) All the members of the Race surveillance council shall attend when carrying the task of the council. In case of force majeure where several member of the council fail to attend, then beside representative of the bet-organizing enterprise, at least 02 other members of the Race surveillance council shall present.

d) The Race surveillance council shall operate on the principle of consensus. If there are more than one different opinions about an issue, then:

- The decision shall be approved if it is approved by more than 50% of the presented members of the Race surveillance council;

- If the numbers of approved and disapproved members are equal, the decision shall be made under the decision of the Chairperson of the Race surveillance council.

dd) The Race surveillance council shall operate under a mechanism where each member can hold several positions, except the representative of the bet-organizing enterprise.

5. The Ministry of Finance shall provide guidance on the working regulation and wage mechanism for members of the Race surveillance council and other contents relevant to the organization and operation of the council.

Chapter IV

REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR BETTING BUSINESS

Section 1. REGARDING BETTING ON HORSE RACING AND GREYHOUND RACING

Article 30. Requirements, composition of application and procedures for issuance of the Certificate of investment registration for the project for construction of horse racecourses and/or greyhound racecourses which covers the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing

1. Apart from the requirements prescribed in law on investment, a project for the construction of horse racecourses and/or greyhound racecourses which covers the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing shall contain:

a) Locations of horse and/or greyhound racecourses conformable to the socio-economic development planning of the area where such racecourses are located;

b) The minimum investment shall be VND 1,000 billion (one thousand billion dong) for a business of betting on horse racing and VND 300 billion (three hundred billion dong) for a business of betting on greyhound racing;

c) A plan on organization of the business of betting on horse racing or greyhound racing conformant with law;

d) A plan on investment in the technological system, technical equipment and business software to ensure their modernity and consistence to be upgraded easily and operated accurately, safely and stably;

dd) An undertaking to comply with Vietnamese and international law;

e) An undertaking to assure the social security and order and community assistance.

2. Composition of application and procedures for issuance of the Certificate of investment registration for the project for the construction of horse racecourses and/or greyhound racecourses which covers the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing.

3. If the project attracts more than one investors, the investor for the project for the construction of horse racecourses and/or greyhound racecourses which covers the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing shall be selected through bidding according to law.

4. Any enterprise running a business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall be organized in form of a limited liability company or a joint-stock company.

Article 31. Requirements and composition of an application for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing

1. Any enterprise having completed the investment registration procedures specified in Article 30 of this Decree shall apply for the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing before organizing the betting on horse and/or greyhound racing. Requirements for issuance of a Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing:

a) Having invested in the construction of horse and/or greyhound racecourses as prescribed in the Certificate of investment registration or a written decision on investment policy;

b) Having been fully equipped with a technological system, technical equipment and business software for organizing horse and/or greyhound races and the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing as prescribed in this Decree;

c) Having a feasible plan on the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing and ticket selling methods and places conformable to this Decree and law provisions.

2. An application for the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall contain:

a) An application form for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business;

b) A certified true copy or a non-certified copy enclosed with the original of the Certificate of investment registration or the decision on investment in the project for the construction of horse and/or greyhound racecourses which covers the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing and amending documents thereof (if any) which are issued by competent authorities according to laws on investment;

c) A criminal record, applicable to the enterprise’s managers/directors;

d) Documents proving that the enterprise fully satisfies the requirement specified in clause 1 of this Article;

dd) The Certificate of conformity with regulations on quality of horse and/or greyhound racecourses issued by a competent authority;

e) A business plan which contains the following main contents: the purposes of the construction, type of product, ticket selling methods and places, frequency of betting, the assessment of the business efficiency (revenues, expenditures, interests and sums to be transferred to the state budget), the environmental impact assessment, solutions for social security, order and safety, the implementation progress and time limit of the business;

g) A draft of the betting rules, the racing charter and internal regulations on anti-money laundering.

Article 32. Procedures for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing

1. The enterprise shall submit 01 application for the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing to the Ministry of Finance. Within 05 working days from the day on which the application is received, the Ministry of Finance shall notify the enterprise of the adequacy and validity of the application and request the supplementation (if necessary) and 05 copies of the application for inspection.

2. Within 90 days from the day on which the satisfactory application is received, the Ministry of Finance shall consider issuing the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing. If the application is rejected, the Ministry of Finance shall send the enterprise a written notification containing the explanation.

3. Procedures for inspection of the application

a) Within 15 days from the day on which the satisfactory application is received, the Ministry of Finance shall request in writing the opinions of relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of the province where the construction of the racecourse is registered;

b) Within 30 days from the day on which the written requests for opinions of relevant authorities are sent, the Ministry of Finance shall establish an interdisciplinary mission team including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of the province where the construction of the racecourse is registered which is in charge of on-site inspection at the racecourse, the betting business premise and the main office of the enterprise applying for the Certificate of eligibility for betting business.

c) Within 15 days from the day on which the on-site inspection finishes, the authorities receiving the request for opinions shall send writings containing their opinions to the Ministry of Finance and shall be responsible for their own opinions;

d) After receiving the opinions from the relevant authorities, the Ministry of Finance shall consolidate opinions and consider whether or not to issue the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing.

4. Inspection contents

Pursuant to the provisions of this Decree, the Ministry of Finance and relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of the province where the construction of the racecourse is registered shall conduct the inspection of the application according to the requirements specified in Article 31 of this Decree.

Article 33. Contents of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing

1. A Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall have the following main contents:

a) Name and address of the enterprise;

b) Number and date of issue of the Certificate of investment registration or the decision on investment policy or the Certificate of Enterprise registration;

c) Legal representative of the enterprise;

d) Type of betting;

dd) Address of the racecourse;

e) Bet ticket selling methods;

g) Betting premises;

h) Effective period;

i) Other contents according to the management requirement.

2. The effective period of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall be on the basis of the application sent by the enterprise which must not exceed the operating period of the project covered by the Certificate of investment registration or the written decision on the investment policy and not exceed 10 years from the day on which the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing takes effect, except cases specified in Article 79 of this Decree.

Article 34. Reissuance of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing

1. If a Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing is lost or damaged by natural disaster or due to other objective reasons, the owner enterprise shall apply for reissuance of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing.

2. An application for reissuance of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall contain:

a) An application form for the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing;

b) A certified true copy or a non-certified copy enclosed with the original of the Certificate of investment registration or the written approval for the investment policy issued by a competent authority according to laws on investment;

c) A certified true copy or a non-certified copy enclosed with the original of the Certificate of Enterprise registration issued by a competent authority according to laws on enterprises;

d) A certified true copy of the enterprise’s Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing which was lost or damaged (if any).

3. Procedures for reissuance of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing

Within 15 days from the day on which the satisfactory application is received, the Ministry of Finance shall consider reissuing the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing which specifies the time of reissuance. The number of the reissued Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall be the number of the formerly issued one.

4. The effective period of the reissued Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall be the remaining effective period of the formerly issued one.

Article 35. Modification of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing

1. Any enterprise wishing to modify a content of a Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing specified in clause 1 Article 33 of this Decree shall apply for modification of the Certificate.

2. An application for modification of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall contain:

a) An application form for modification of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business;

b) A certified true copy or a copy enclosed with the original of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business;

c) Documents proving that the modification is conformant with the regulations in this Decree and relevant law provisions.

3. Procedures for modification of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing

Within 30 days from the day on which the satisfactory application is received, the Ministry of Finance shall preside over and cooperate with relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of province where the construction of the racecourse is registered in considering issuing the modified Certificate of eligibility for betting business of the enterprise which shall specify the time of modification.

4. The effective period of the reissued Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall be the remaining effective period of the formerly issued one.

Article 36. Extension of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing

1. Any enterprise having a Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing expiring according to regulations in this Decree which wishes to continue the betting business shall apply for extension of the Certificate at least 06 months before the Certificate expires.

2. Requirements for extension of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse racing and/or greyhound racing:

a) The current Certificate of eligibility for the betting business shall be effective for at least 06 more months before the time of application for the extension;

b) The requirements specified in clause 1 Article 31 of this Decree are satisfied;

c) The betting business is concluded fulfilling business requirements by a regulatory body upon the latest periodic inspection specified in clause 2 Article 78 of this Decree.

3. An application for extension of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall include:

a) An application form for extension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business;

b) A certified copy of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business which will be effective for at least 06 more months before the time of application for the extension;

c) Documents specified in points b, c, d, dd and e clause 2 Article 31 of this Decree;

d) A certified copy of the minute of conclusion of business requirement fulfillment made by the inspection authority at periodic inspection according to regulations in clause 2 Article 78 of this Decree.

4. Procedures for extension of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall be conformable with regulations in clauses 1, 2 and 3 Article 32 of this Decree.

5. Inspection contents

Pursuant to the provisions of this Decree, the Ministry of Finance and relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of the province where the construction of the racecourse is registered shall conduct the inspection of the application according to the requirements specified in clause 2 of this Decree.

6. The Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing shall be extended by a time specified in the application sent by the enterprise which must not exceed the operating period of the project covered by the Certificate of investment registration or the written decision on the investment policy and not exceed 10 years from the day on which the extended Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing takes effect.

Article 37. Revocation of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing

1. A Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing of an enterprise shall be revoked in any of the following cases:

a) The operation has not been carried out for 12 months from the date of issue of the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound;

b) The enterprise is dissolved or bankrupt according to law;

c) The Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration is revoked;

d) The betting business is concluded unconformable by the inspection authority according to regulations in point a clause 2 Article 78 of this Decree;

dd) The enterprise is concluded violating all the regulations on the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing by the inspection authority according to point b clause 2 Article 78 of this Decree.

2. Certificates of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing expires or is revoked under the provisions of points b and c clause 1 of this Article.

3. The Ministry of Finance shall preside over and cooperate with relevant authorities including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of the province where the construction of the racecourse is registered in considering issuing decisions on revocation of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business, applicable to cases specified in points a, d and dd clause 1 of this Article. Such decisions shall be sent to the enterprise 10 days in advance of the date of revocation.

4. The enterprise shall immediately shut down its betting business at the time of revocation of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business.

5. The decision on revocation of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business of an enterprise shall be published on means of mass media by the Ministry of Finance.

Section 2. REGARDING BETTING ON INTERNATIONAL SOCCER

Article 38. Pilot international soccer betting business

1. The Government allows 01 enterprise to pilot the business of betting on international soccer. The duration of pilot international soccer betting business shall be 05 years since the day on which the Certificate of eligibility for  international soccer betting business is issued. After such period, the Government shall consider whether or not to continue the pilot international soccer betting business upon the assessment of the collected results.

2. Any enterprise carrying out the pilot international soccer betting business shall satisfy the following requirements:

a) The minimum charter capital shall be VND 1,000 billion (one thousand billion dong) or an equivalent amount;

b) There shall be a plan on investment in the system of technology, technical equipment and business software to ensure its modernity and consistence to be upgraded easily and operated accurately, safely and stably;

c) There shall be a feasible plan on the business of betting on international soccer and ticket selling methods and locations conformable to this Decree and law provisions.

d) An undertaking to comply with Vietnamese and international law shall be made;

dd) An undertaking to assure the social security and order and community assistance shall be made.

3. The Ministry of Finance shall preside over and cooperate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Public Security and relevant Ministries and regulatory bodies in organizing the pilot international soccer betting business.

4. The enterprise selected for pilot international soccer betting business specified in clause 3 of this Article shall carry out the investment procedures according to law on investment.

Article 39. Requirements and composition of an application for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business

1. Any enterprise selected to conduct the pilot international soccer betting business as specified in Article 38 of this Decree shall apply for the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on international soccer before carry out the business.

2. The enterprise shall have sufficient facilities for the business where the technological system, technical equipment and business software to shall be modern, consistent and easy to be upgraded easily and operated accurately, safely and stably to be issued the Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business.

3. An application for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business shall contain:

a) An application form for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business;

b) A certified true copy or a non-certified copy enclosed with the original of the Certificate of Enterprise registration issued by a competent authority according to laws on enterprises;

c) A certified true copy or a non-certified copy enclosed with the original of the Certificate of investment registration or the written decision on the investment in the business of betting on international soccer issued by a competent authority according to laws on investment;

d) A criminal record, applicable to the enterprise’s managers/directors;

dd) Documents proving that the enterprise fully satisfies the requirement specified in clause 2 of this Article;

e) A draft of the betting rules and internal regulations on anti-money laundering.

Article 40. Procedures for issuance of Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business

1. The enterprise shall submit 01 application for the Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business to the Ministry of Finance. Within 05 working days from the day on which the application is received, the Ministry of Finance shall notify the enterprise of the adequacy and validity of the application and request the supplementation (if necessary) and 05 copies of the application for inspection.

2. Within 90 days from the day on which the satisfactory application is received, the Ministry of Finance shall consider issuing the Certificate of eligibility for betting business. If the application is rejected, the Ministry of Finance shall send the enterprise a written notification containing the explanation.

3. Procedures for inspection of the application

a) Within 15 days from the day on which the satisfactory application is received, the Ministry of Finance shall request in writing the opinions of relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of the province where the enterprise carried out the investment registration;

b) Within 30 days from the day on which the written requests for opinions of relevant authorities are sent, the Ministry of Finance shall establish an interdisciplinary mission team including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of the province where the enterprise carried out the investment registration which is in charge of on-site inspection at the betting area and the main office of the enterprise applying for the Certificate of eligibility for betting business;

c) Within 15 days from the day on which the on-site inspection finishes, the authorities receiving the request for opinions shall send writings containing their opinions to the Ministry of Finance and shall be responsible for their own opinions;

d) After receiving the opinions from the relevant authorities, the Ministry of Finance shall consolidate opinions and consider whether or not to issue the Certificate of eligibility for betting business.

4. Inspection contents

Pursuant to the provisions of this Decree, the Ministry of Finance and relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of the province where the enterprise carried out the investment registration shall conduct the inspection of the application according to the requirements specified in Article 39 of this Decree.

Article 41. Contents of the Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business

1. A Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business shall contain the contents specified in point a, b, c, d, e, g, h and i of clause 1 Article 33 of this Decree.

2. The effective period the Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business shall be 05 years since the day it takes effect.

Article 42. Revocation of the Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business

During the pilot international soccer betting business, if the enterprise commits a violation against regulations on investment or is concluded against all the regulations on the organization of the business of betting on international soccer by the inspection authority according to regulations in point b clause 2 Article 78 of this Decree, the Ministry of Finance shall preside over and cooperate with Ministries and regulatory bodies imposing the revocation of the Certificate of eligibility for international soccer betting business on the enterprise.

Chapter V

INFORMATION, ADVERTISING AND SALES PROMOTION

Article 43. Provision of information

1. The enterprise shall publish the racing charter, betting rules and information relevant to the betting events and the betting results for determine the winners.

2. The enterprise shall provide sufficiently and promptly information and figures relevant to betting business for competent authorities on their request.

3. The enterprise shall take responsibility for the accuracy and honesty of the information published and provided. Information relevant to the betting events shall ensure the honesty and have source specified.

Article 44. Advertising

1. Only enterprises having the Certificate of eligibility for betting business issued according to this Decree and enterprises specified in clause 1 Article 79 of this Decree shall be allowed to conduct the advertising of activities relevant to betting business.

2. The advertising of activities relevant to betting business must comply with laws on advertising. Advertisement contents:

a) Name and address of the bet-organizing enterprise;

b) Name of the bets and betting event;

c) Entities allowed to play games as specified in Article 7 of this Decree.

3. The advertising shall be performed only on panels and/or signboards in its main office, at racecourses or fixed ticket sales booths, provided that people not entering such place will not hear or see the advertisement contents. Apart from allowable forms of advertising specified in this Article, the enterprise must not carry out the advertising of activities relevant to the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing in any shape or form and comply with other law provisions pertaining to advertising.

Article 45. Sales promotion

Bet-organizing enterprise must not give discounts for bettors in any shape of form during the operation of betting business.

Chapter VI

FINANCE, ACCOUNTING AND AUDIT

Article 46. Financial regime

1. Fiscal years of the enterprise shall be conformable to laws on accounting.

2. Enterprises shall fulfill tax obligations and make contribution to the state budget under applicable law and the guidance of the Ministry of Finance.

3. The Ministry of Finance shall provide guidance on the financial management according to the particular characteristics of betting business.

Article 47. Accounting and reporting regimes

1. The accounting and reporting regimes of enterprises shall be in accordance with law and the guidance of the Ministry of Finance.

2. Enterprises shall separately account the turnovers and expenses related to the licensed betting business. Enterprises shall allocate the turnovers and expenses in associated with other business activities under the guidance of the Ministry of Finance.

3. The reporting on the professional operation of enterprises shall be conformable to regulations of the Ministry of Finance.

Article 48. Audit and disclosure of financial statements

1. Annual financial statements of casino-operating enterprises must be annually audited.

2. At the end of a fiscal year, bet-organizing enterprises shall disclose their financial statements according to law.

Chapter VII

PENALTIES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE VIOLATIONS

Article 49. General provisions for penalties for administrative violations

1. Chapter VII of this Decree provides for the administrative violations, forms and levels of penalties and remedial measures, power to impose penalties and level of pecuniary penalties according to each position in betting business.

2. Any organization or person relevant to the betting business who commits an administrative violation against regulations of other sectors according to provisions of other legislative documents shall be imposed penalties for administrative violations according to relevant law provisions.

Article 50. Penalties for administrative violations and remedial measures

1. Main penalties for violations against regulations on betting business:

a) Warning;

b) Pecuniary penalties.

A fine not exceeding VND 100,000,000 or VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed respectively on any individual or organization committing an administrative violation against regulations on betting business.

The fines imposed on administrative violations specified in this Decree shall be applicable to organizations, except the provisions of Article 55 of this Decree which are applicable to individuals.

The fines applicable to individuals shall be a half as much as those applicable to organizations for the same violations.

2. Additional penalties for violations against regulations on betting business:

Limited suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business.

3. Apart from penalties specified in clause 1 and clause 2 of this Article, depending on the nature and severity of the violations, the organizations and/or individuals committing the violations may incur one or multiple remedial measures as follows:

a) Forcible correction of the information which has been announced and/or provided insufficiently and/or inaccurately;

b) Forcible transfer of illegal earnings from administrative violations to the state budget.

Article 51. Violation against regulations on the management and use of Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing

1. A fine of from VND 90,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed on the falsification of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business.

2. A fine of from VND 130,000,000 to VND 150,000,000 shall be imposed on the lease out, lending or transfer of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business.

3. A fine of from VND 180,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed on casino business without a Certificate of eligibility for betting business, except enterprises specified in clause 1 Article 79 of this Decree.

4. Additional penalties:

A 06 to 12 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the administrative violations specified in clause 2 this Article.

5. Remedial measures:

Forcible transfer of illegal benefits from the administrative violations specified in clauses 2 and 3 of this Article to the state budget.

Article 52. Violations against regulations on location of casinos

1. A fine of from VND 130,000,000 to VND 150,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Cooperation with other persons placing and taking bets illegally to share the risk;

b) Provision of information about the betting ratios without the permission of or authority by the bet-organizing enterprise.

2. A fine of from VND 180,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Running a betting business exceeding the business scope permitted by a competent authority according to law;

b) Take advantage of the betting event to place bets or take bets illegally.

3. Additional penalties:

A 06 to 12 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the administrative violations specified in clause 2 this Article.

4. Remedial measures:

Forcible transfer of illegal benefits from the administrative violations specified in this Article to the state budget.

Article 53. Violations against regulations pertaining to the betting forms and types of bets

1. A fine of from VND 180,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed on any enterprise which takes bets in contrary to Article 6 of this Decree.

2. Additional penalties:

a) A 06 to 12 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the administrative violations specified in clause 1 of this Article;

b) A 12 to 18 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the repetition of administrative violations specified in this Article.

3. Remedial measures:

Forcible transfer of illegal benefits from the administrative violations specified in this Article to the state budget.

Article 54. Violations against regulations on management of bettors

1. A fine of from VND 40,000,000 to VND 50,000,000 shall be imposed on any enterprise which sells tickets to persons who are not permissible to place bets as prescribed in clause 2 Article 7 of this Decree.

2. A fine of from VND 90,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed on any entity lend out money to bettors for placing bets.

3. Remedial measures:

Forcible transfer of illegal benefits from the administrative violations specified in this Article to the state budget.

Article 55. Violations against regulations on obligations of bettors

1. A warning shall be imposed on any persons not permissible to place bets as prescribed in clause 2 Article 7 of this Decree who purposefully buy tickets to place bets.

2. A fine of from VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed on the falsification of the betting ticket to receive the winning prize.

3. A fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Forging betting tickets to receive prizes;

b) Illegal arrangement to fix the result of the event;

c) Forging the betting results.

4. Remedial measures:

Forcible transfer of illegal benefits from the administrative violations specified in clauses 2 and 3 of this Article to the state budget.

Article 56. Violations against regulations on establishment, issuance and announcement of Racing charter and Betting rules

1. A fine of from VND 40,000,000 to VND 50,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Failure to send the Betting rules to regulatory bodies as prescribed in Article 9 of this Decree;

b) Failure to send the Racing charter to the Race surveillance council according to regulations in Article 25 of this Decree.

2. A fine of from VND 90,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Failure to publish the Betting rules as prescribed in Article 9 of this Decree;

b) Failure to publish the Racing charter as prescribed in Article 25 of this Decree.

3. A fine of from VND 180,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Failure to establish and publish the Betting rules as prescribed in Article 9 of this Decree;

b) Failure to establish and publish the Racing rules as prescribed in Article 25 of this Decree.

4. Additional penalties:

A 06 to 12 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the administrative violations specified in clause 3 this Article.

Article 57. Violations against regulations on location of fixed ticket sales booths

1. A fine of from VND 90,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed on any enterprise which establishes fixed ticket sales booths in contrary to Article 14 of this Decree.

2. Remedial measures:

Forcible transfer of illegal benefits from the administrative violations specified in this Article to the state budget.

Article 58. Violations against regulations on sale of bet tickets

1. A fine of from VND 180,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed on any enterprise that sales bet tickets in a way not allowed by competent authorities according to law.

2. Additional penalties:

a) A 06 to 12 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the administrative violations specified in clause 1 this Article;

b) A 12 to 18 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for casino business shall be imposed on the repetition of the administrative violation specified in clause 1 this Article.

3. Remedial measures:

Forcible transfer of illegal benefits from the administrative violations specified in this Article to the state budget.

Article 59. Violations against regulations pertaining to the frequency of organization of betting and time of bet taking

1. A fine of from VND 90,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed on violations against regulations on time of bet taking.

2. A fine of from VND 180,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed on violations against regulations on frequency of bet taking.

3. Additional penalties:

A 06 to 12 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the administrative violations specified in clause 2 this Article.

4. Remedial measures:

Forcible transfer of illegal benefits from the administrative violations specified in this Article to the state budget.

Article 60. Violations against regulations on bet tickets

1. A fine of from VND 90,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed on any enterprise that sales bet tickets which are unconformable to law.

2. A fine of from VND 180,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed on any enterprise that sales bet tickets which have face value lower than the minimum level or higher than the maximum level prescribed by law.

3. Additional penalties:

A 06 to 12 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the administrative violations specified in clause 2 this Article.

4. Remedial measures:

Forcible transfer of illegal benefits from the administrative violations specified in this Article to the state budget.

Article 61. Violations against regulations on bet ticket agent

1. A fine of from VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed on the failure to comply with regulations on fulfillment of payment obligation of bet ticket agent according to law on secured transactions.

2. A fine of from VND 90,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed on the conclusion of agency contracts with organizations and persons that do not satisfy the requirements specified in Article 18 of this Decree.

Article 62. Violations against regulations on prize pay-out, payout percentage and payout methods

1. A fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 shall be imposed on any enterprise fails to conform with regulations on time of pay-out to winning bettors.

2. A fine of from VND 90,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Knowingly provision of information about the results unconformable to the minute of the Race surveillance council or the conclusion of the referee of the international soccer match or the results officially announced by the event organizer;

b) Pay-out of winning prizes unconformable to regulations in Article 10 of this Decree;

c) Establishment of payout percentage lower than the minimum level specified in Article 11 of this Decree;

d) Certification of prizes for ineligible persons or with values unconformable to the actual one.

3. Remedial measures:

Forcible transfer of illegal benefits from the administrative violations specified in this Article to the state budget.

Article 63. Violations against regulations on organization of horse and/or greyhound racing

1. A fine of from VND 90,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed on any entity committing violations against regulations on racing horses, greyhounds, jockeys and referees provided for in this Decree.

2. A fine of from VND 180,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed on any entity not satisfying requirements for horse and/or greyhound racing specified in Article 24 of this Decree.

3. Additional penalties:

A 03 to 06 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the administrative violations specified in clause 2 this Article.

Article 64. Violations against regulations on information announcement and provision

1. A fine of from VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed on any entity that announces or provides insufficient or inaccurate information.

2. Remedial measures:

Forcible correction of the information which has been announced and/or provided insufficiently and/or inaccurately.

Article 65. Violations against regulations on anti-money laundering

1. A fine of from VND 40,000,000 to VND 50,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Failure to update identity information about customers;

b) Failure to issue procedures for management of risks in transactions relevant to model technicals;

c) Failure to classify customers according to the level of risks of money laundering;

d) Failure to build a system of risk management to determine foreign customers being individuals who have political influences;

dd) Failure to inspect customers according to the warning list before carry out the transaction;

e) Failure to make reports on transactions with high value, suspicious transactions and or transactions for money laundering for terrorism financing.

2. A fine of from VND 90,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed on any of the following acts:

a) Failure to take measures of transaction postponement, account freeze and/or property sealing or impoundment of property under the decision of competent authorities;

b) Failure to establish and issue internal regulations on anti-money laundering;

c) Organization of or facilitation for money laundering.

3. Additional penalties:

A 03 to 06 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the administrative violations specified in clause 2 this Article.

Article 66. Violations against regulations on sales promotion

1. A fine of from VND 180,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed on any enterprise knowingly conducts sales promotion activities.

2. Additional penalties:

A 06 to 12 - month suspension of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be imposed on the administrative violations specified in this Article.

Article 67. Violations against regulations on reporting regime

1. A warning shall be imposed on any of the following violations:

a) Failure to send sufficient reports to competent authorities according to law;

b) Failure to send reports to competent authorities punctually according to law; 2. A fine of from VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed on any entity that includes insufficient or inaccurate information and data in the reports sent to competent authorities.

3. Remedial measures:

Forcible correction of the information which has been announced and/or provided insufficiently and/or inaccurately, applicable to violations specified in clause 2 of this Article.

Article 68. Power to impose penalties for administrative violations and keep administrative violation records

1. Financial inspectors of all levels who are on duty shall be entitles to impose warnings.

2. Powers of Chief Inspectors of Services of Finance:

a) Impose warnings;

b) Impose fines up to VND 50,000,000;

c) Take remedial measures specified in clause 3 Article 50 of this Decree.

3. Powers of the Leader of the specialized inspectorate of the Ministry of Finance:

a) Impose warnings;

b) Impose fines up to VND 140,000,000;

c) Take remedial measures specified in clause 3 Article 50 of this Decree.

4. Powers of Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Finance:

a) Impose warnings;

b) Impose fines up to VND 200,000,000;

c) Impose a limited revocation of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business as prescribed in this Decree;

d) Take remedial measures specified in clause 3 Article 50 of this Decree.

5. The power to impose a fine specified in this Article applies to organizations; that applies to individuals shall be a haft as much.

6. Apart from the persons with powers to impose penalties specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this Article, any person having the power to impose penalties for administrative violations and working at a People's Committee of province or a police office according to the Law on Actions against administrative violations who, within his/her functions and tasks, finds an administrative violation in such sector or in the area under his/her management may apply regulations in this Decree to impose penalties.

7. Persons competent to take administrative violation records are persons entitled to impose penalties specified in this Article and officials and civil servants who are on duty.

Chapter VIII

STATE MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION

Article 69. Government's responsibilities

1. The Government shall ensure the consistency in the state management of betting business.

2. Assign the Ministry of Finance to research and request the Government to decide on the promulgation of policy on management of betting business within their competence.

Article 70. Responsibilities of the Prime Minister

Decide on selection of several provinces and central-affiliated cities to conduct the pilot business of betting on international football according to point a clause 2 Article 13 of this Decree.

Article 71. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of Finance shall take responsibility before the Government for state management of betting business. To be specific:

1. Research, establish and request competent authorities to promulgate policies on management of betting business.

2. Promulgate and guide the implementation of legislative documents on betting business within its competence.

3. Carry out the issuance, reissuance, modification, extension and revocation of Certificates of eligibility for betting business.

4. Conduct inspection and impose penalties for violations against regulations on betting business within the competence specified in this Decree and according to law.

5. Fulfill other tasks pertaining to betting business which are assigned by the Government and/or the Prime Minister according to this Decree and law.

Article 72. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Planning and Investment

1. Conduct inspection of the investment in projects serving betting business according to law on investment.

2. Cooperate with the Ministry of Finance in considering the issuance, modification, extension and revocation of Certificates of eligibility for betting business.

3. Cooperate with the Ministry of Finance and other Ministries, regulatory bodies and local governments in the management, surveillance and inspection of betting business.

Article 73. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Public Security

1. Promulgate or request competent authorities to promulgate or amend legislative documents and provide guidance and inspection of the compliance with law on ensuring the security and social order and safety in betting business.

2. Preside over and cooperate with relevant agencies and organizations in anti-money laundering in betting business according to law.

3. Cooperate with the Ministry of Finance in considering the issuance, modification, extension and revocation of Certificates of eligibility for betting business.

4. Cooperate with the Ministry of Finance and other Ministries, regulatory bodies and local governments in the management, surveillance and inspection of betting business.

Article 74. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

1. Issue the list of international football matches and tournaments which are selected to provide the basis for the business of betting on international football according to this Decree.

2. Cooperate with the Ministry of Finance in considering the issuance, modification, extension and revocation of Certificates of eligibility for betting business.

3. Cooperate with the Ministry of Finance and other Ministries, regulatory bodies and local governments in the management, surveillance and inspection of betting business.

4. Approve Horse or greyhound charter and jockey requirements and/or standards and issue professional regulations on referee and surveillance standards and requirements for operation of horse/greyhound racing operators according to this Decree.

Article 75. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Information and Communications

1. Direct Internet service providers, network infrastructure providers, online social network service providers and telecommunication service providers to prevent the illegal provision betting services via computer network, telecommunications network or the Internet at the request of the Ministry of Public Security.

2. Preside over and cooperate with relevant State management agencies directing press agencies and media agencies in the provision of information about the management of betting business; reinforce the propagation and mobilization of citizens not to organize or participate in illegal betting activities.

Article 76. Responsibilities of the State bank of Vietnam

Cooperate with the Ministry of Finance and other Ministries, regulatory bodies and local governments in the management, surveillance and inspection of betting business.

Article 77. Responsibilities of provincial People’s Committees

1. Take responsibility for the management of betting business in local areas according to this Decree and law provisions.

2. Cooperate with the Ministry of Finance in considering the issuance, modification, extension and revocation of Certificates of eligibility for betting business.

3. Establish Race surveillance councils to manage and supervise the organization of horse and/or greyhound racing in local areas.

4. Conduct inspection of betting business in local areas according to this Decree and law provisions.

5. Fulfill other tasks prescribed by this Decree and by law.

Article 78. Inspection

1. The inspection by regulatory bodies may be conducted periodically or irregularly. Irregular inspection shall be carried out only when the enterprises denote violations, when it is required for handling complaints and denunciations or fighting against misappropriation or when it is assigned by competent authorities.

2. The Ministry of Finance shall preside over and cooperate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and relevant Ministries and regulatory bodies and the People's Committee of the province where the enterprise’s Certificate of investment registration is issued conducting inspection every 02 years for considering the ability of maintenance or revocation of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business of the enterprise or request a competent authority to consider handling according to laws. Inspection contents:

a) The compliance with requirements for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business specified in Article 31 and Article 39 of this Decree.

Particularly for enterprises specified in clause 1 Article 79 of this Decree, the compliance with the requirements for betting business licensed by competent authorities according to laws.

b) The full compliance with regulations on betting business according to this Decree, including the following main contents:

- The type of bet, the limits of betting level, bet ticket-selling methods, bet ticket sales areas, frequency of betting events and time of bet taking;

- The compliance with charters for racing, racing horses, racing greyhounds, jockeys and referees, applicable to the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing;

- The management of bettors, the compliance with betting rules and internal regulations on anti-money laundering;

- The compliance with law on finance, accounting and the State budget remittance obligations.

3. People's Committees of provinces and Security agencies shall decide on irregular inspection when finding violations against regulations on entities allowed to place bets and social security and order or when receiving denunciation relevant to the enterprise.

4. The inspection of the fulfillment of tax liability of the enterprise shall be in accordance with regulations of law on taxation.

Chapter IX

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 79. Transitional clause

1. Any enterprise having the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration which covers the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing or a document of a competent authority permitting the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing before the effective date of this Decree and has run the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing (including the pilot permission) may continue the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing according to the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission of the competent authority. If necessary, the enterprise may apply for the Certificate of eligibility for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing as follows:

a) An application for a Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall contain:

- An application form for the Certificate of eligibility for betting business;

- A certified true copy or a copy enclosed with the original of the effective Certificate of enterprise registration which covers the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing or a written permission by a competent authority for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing;

- Documents specified in points c, e and g clause 2 Article 31 of this Decree.

b) The enterprise shall submit 01 application for the Certificate of eligibility for betting business to the Ministry of Finance. Within 15 days from the day on which the satisfactory application is received, the Ministry of Finance shall check the composition of the application and decide on the issuance of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business to the enterprise, where:

- The forms of betting, bet ticket selling methods and the betting area shall be determined according to the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission of competent authorities. If the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission issued by the competent authority does not specify the abovementioned contents, then the provisions of this Decree shall apply.

- The effective duration of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall not exceed the remaining period of operation specified in the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission issued by the competent authority. If the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission issued by the competent authority does not specify the time limit for operation, then the time limit specified in Article 33 of this Decree shall apply.

2. Regarding enterprise having the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration which covers the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing or a written permission issued by a competent authority for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing before the effective date of this Decree and has not run the betting business:

Before running a business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing, the enterprise shall apply for the Certificate of eligibility for betting business according to this clause.

a) Requirements for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business:

- Having an effective Certificate of enterprise registration which covers the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing or a written permission by a competent authority for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing;

- Satisfying the requirements for running a business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing specified in the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or a written permission by a competent authority for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing. If the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission issued by the competent authority does not specify the requirements for running a business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing, then clause 1 Article 31 of this Decree shall apply.

b) An application for a Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall contain:

- An application form for the Certificate of eligibility for betting business;

- A certified true copy or a copy enclosed with the original of an effective Certificate of investment registration or Certificate of enterprise registration which covers the betting business or a written permission by a competent authority for betting business;

- Documents proving the satisfaction of the requirements for running a business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing specified in the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or a written permission by a competent authority for the business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing (if any). If the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission issued by the competent authority does not specify the requirements for running a business of betting on horse and/or greyhound racing, then point d clause 2 Article 31 of this Decree shall apply;

- Documents specified in points c, dd, e and g clause 2 Article 31 of this Decree.

c) Procedures for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall be conformable with regulations in clauses 1, 2 and 3 Article 32 of this Decree.

d) Inspection contents

Pursuant to provisions of this Decree, the Ministry of Finance and relevant authorities specified in clause 3 Article 32 of this Decree shall conduct the inspection of the applications according to the requirements specified in point a of this clause, where:

- The forms of betting, bet ticket selling methods and the betting area shall be determined according to the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission of competent authorities. If the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission issued by the competent authority does not specify the abovementioned contents, then the provisions of this Decree shall apply.

- The effective duration of the Certificate of eligibility for betting business shall not exceed the remaining period of operation specified in the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission issued by the competent authority. If the Certificate of investment registration or the Certificate of enterprise registration or the written permission issued by the competent authority does not specify the time limit for operation, then the time limit specified in Article 33 of this Decree shall apply.

Article 80. Implementary clause

1. This Decree comes into force from March 31, 2017.

2. The Minister of Finance shall preside over and cooperate with relevant Ministries and regulatory bodies in guiding the implementation of this Decree.

3. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of governmental agencies, Presidents of People’s Committees of provinces and relevant entities are responsible for implementing this Decree./.