Vietnamese investment firm Sun Group has been told it is the only developer approved by the Quang Ninh People’s Committee to build and operate a casino in the Van Don Economic Zone – one of two casinos to be part of a pilot program in which locals will be allowed to play.
According to a report in the Vietnam Investment Review, Sun Group wrote to the People’s Committee seeking confirmation of its sole status following earlier suggestions that another developer, FLC, had been allowed to conduct its own feasibility study.
In a reply dated 17 April, Deputy Chairman of the Committee Nguyen Van Thanh wrote, “Sun Group is the province’s strategic developer, and was chosen by the province to report to the prime minister as the only developer of the luxury resort-entertainment complex with a casino, according to the master plan approved by the prime minister, and allowed to pilot allowing Vietnamese citizens to play in the casino.”
Sun Group’s plans include a US$2 billion tourism and entertainment precinct to be built on Van Canh and Ngoc Vung islands.
In January, Vietnam passed a decree allowing two casinos to take part in a three year trial in which eligible locals would be able to obtain a license and gamble. The regulations stipulate that locals must earn a minimum of VND10 million each month (US$450) and be at least 21 years of age.
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