An indictment in Vietnam has revealed that last year 145 locals illegally gambled at a casino meant only for overseas visitors. Famous singers, entrepreneurs, and government officials were on this list, with the combined sum gambled at the King Club casino in the Pullman Hotel in Hanoi amounting to $106m.
136 of the 145 individuals are now facing illegal gambling charges for knowingly playing electronic games. Of those people who have avoided charges to date, one is under investigation by the relevant military authorities, another two only bet very small sums, two are mentally unfit, and four people are still on the run from the authorities.
reportedly made about $9.2m by catering to the illegal gambling
South Korean native Kim In Sung operates the venue and reportedly made about $9.2m by catering to the illegal gambling. The indictment provided plenty of detail about the activity of each player. The most active was politician Ho Dai Dung who wagered more than $7m.
Vietnamese law dictates that local residents can only gamble at specific facilities as part of an ongoing pilot program. The other casinos are only open to overseas visitors.
