12 January 2022
On 27 December 2021, the Government issued Decree No. 121/2021/ND-CP to regulate the business of prize-winning video games for foreigners in Vietnam. Some notable contents are as follows:
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The business of prize-winning video games is a conditional business activity, subject to strict control by state management authorities and the business must comply with the provisions of the laws (Article 3).
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Enterprises doing business in prize-winning video games are only allowed to organize prize-winning video games at only one business location licensed by a management authority. The business location must fully satisfy the conditions as regulated (Article 5.1).
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The ratio of the number of prize-winning video game machines used will be based on the number of accommodation rooms that have been set up for business with the ratio: 05 rooms – 01 game machine (Article 7.1).
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When all prize-winning video games are set up for business, enterprises must develop appropriate game rules for each type of machine and send them to competent authorities for monitoring. Game rules must be in accordance with the laws (Article 8).
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Subjects allowed to play at business locations include foreigners and overseas Vietnamese who legally enter Vietnam with their passports and have a valid residence permit in Vietnam. These subjects must have full civil act capacity as prescribed by the laws and voluntarily comply with the game rules and regulations of this Decree (Article 9).
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In addition to those who are allowed to play at the above business locations, only the following people are allowed to be in and out of the business location:
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Managers and employees of prize-winning video game businesses;
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Employees of a service-providing organization which has a contract to provide services to a prize-winning video game enterprise;
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Officials of competent state management agencies with inspection mission.
The above subjects are only allowed to enter business locations to perform assigned tasks, but not allowed to participate in games. The entry and exit of people entering and leaving the business location must be controlled and recorded by the enterprise (Article 11).
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The manager and operator of the business location must meet the standards regulated by the laws (Article 19).
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Other regulations on management, order, and procedures related to the business of prize-winning video games are specified in this Decree.
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