Vietnam issues new administrative penalties for gambling and labor sectors

The Vietnamese government has issued several new decrees and circulars establishing strict administrative penalties across various sectors. Under Decree 391/2026/NĐ-CP, violations in the casino, betting, and prize-winning electronic game sectors—such as operating outside permitted hours or lending money to players for betting—can result in fines of up to 200 million VND for organizations and 100 million VND for individuals. Additional sanctions include the suspension of business activities and confiscation of assets.

In the labor sector, Decree 283/2026/NĐ-CP prohibits employers from using fines or salary deductions as a form of labor discipline. Organizations violating this rule face fines between 40 million and 80 million VND and must return any illegally withheld funds to employees.

Furthermore, Decree 389/2026/NĐ-CP introduces penalties for lottery-related violations. Individuals purchasing lottery tickets despite being ineligible (such as minors or those lacking civil capacity) may face fines of 10 to 15 million VND, while those altering or forging tickets face much higher penalties.

In the public sector, Circular 06/2026/TT-TTCP regulates conduct for the Inspectorate industry, prohibiting officials from consuming alcohol or intoxicants during working hours and lunch breaks, effective October 15, 2026.