The first casino in Vietnam able to welcome Vietnamese citizens, Corona Casino Phu Quoc officially opened on January 19 for a three-year trial under Decree No. 03/2017/ND-CP.

Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc has investment of nearly $1.1 billion in the first phase and total investment of around $2.2 billion. Daily casino operations will be overseen by Upffinity Gaming Management, a Dutch international casino management company with experience in high-end casinos in Europe and Macao.

Visitors and guests at Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc will be able to experience a unique combination of entertainment, with gaming, dining, shopping and live performances on Bai Dai Beach – one of the most beautiful in Vietnam.

The integrated resort complex includes five-star international standard hotels with 2,000 rooms and ten ocean villas, a convention center, a theater, a shopping mall, a waterpark, a spa, restaurants, bars, and Corona Casino, while its location also provides easy access to the Vinpearl Land Amusement Park, Safari and Conservation Park and an 18-hole golf course.

The unique mix of leisure options makes Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc the most comprehensive integrated resort in the country; a perfect getaway that meets the diverse relaxation and entertainment needs of families and visitors of all ages.

“Vietnam sees a growing volume of domestic and international tourists, with an increasing trend of guests staying at upscale hotels,” said Mr. Daniel Kupsin, CEO of Upffinity. “Meanwhile, there remains a need for entertainment products that can cater to this high-end public. Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc will provide enjoyment and fun in a luxurious setting.”

“We believe that once the local public gets a taste of the resort’s atmosphere, they will find little need to travel overseas for a casino experience and will favor Phu Quoc as the premier luxury entertainment destination in Vietnam.”

Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc creates over 1,500 direct and many more indirect jobs for partners, suppliers, and other travel service providers in Kien Giang province and around the country. The opening of the casino is expected to shift a substantial part of the current casino market outflow in favor of Phu Quoc’s tourism development.

“Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc will not only help to boost Phu Quoc’s tourism image with a new and premium entertainment experience for both Vietnamese and foreigners but also generate significant contributions to the State budget,” Mr. Kupsin added. “We are proud to be the first casino to welcome Vietnamese citizens and we are committed to working with government management agencies to make the trial a success on all levels.”

Vietnamese visitors to Corona Casino pay an entry fee of VND1 million ($43) for 24 hours of access, with proceeds going to the provincial budget of Kien Giang.

Source: http://www.vneconomictimes.com/article/business/first-casino-for-vietnamese-patrons-opens