The Scale of Illegal Gambling at King Club
A significant illegal gambling operation, known as King Club, has been uncovered in Hanoi, where over 145 Vietnamese nationals, including government officials, businesspeople, doctors, and singers, were involved in illicit betting activities. According to a recent indictment by the Supreme People’s Procuracy, these individuals lost a staggering $106 million at the casino, which was operating inside the 5-star Pullman Hotel.
The majority of those who participated in the gambling suffered substantial losses, with only 0.22% of the total bets resulting in winnings. This indicates that the vast majority of participants ended up losing their money, highlighting the severe financial impact of the operation.
Operation Details and Legal Violations
King Club operated from February 4 to June 22, 2024, and was officially licensed to serve only foreign visitors through electronic prize games. However, the venue, managed by South Korean national Kim In Sung, secretly catered to Vietnamese gamblers, violating national laws that generally prohibit citizens from engaging in gambling except under a restricted pilot program.
Kim In Sung was identified as the ringleader of the operation, which was disguised as a business club. He allegedly organized and managed the activities, taking all proceeds for himself, and is believed to have made approximately $9.2 million in illicit earnings.
Among the 145 individuals involved, 136 have been charged for gambling. Most of them were aware that Vietnamese law prohibits locals from participating in such activities but chose to ignore the regulations.
Notable Gamblers and Their Losses
The biggest winner among the accused was Nguyen Thanh Bach, a freelance businessman, who won VND2.2 billion over 95 sessions. On the other end of the spectrum, Vu Thanh Tung, who played seven times with a total of $5,600, won just $10.
Several high-profile individuals were also implicated in the case. Among the accused are seven officials from Phu Tho Province in northern Vietnam who traveled to Hanoi to gamble. Ho Dai Dung, former vice chairman of the Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee, was the most frequent gambler among them, gambling 95 times between February and June, spending over $7 million.
Two singers, Nguyen The Vu and Vu Ngoc Ha, are also among the accused. Vu gambled 116 times, playing slots and baccarat, and spent a total of $4.3 million. Ha, on the other hand, invested $2,600 into baccarat.
Other notable cases include Nguyen Van Hung, an employee of hospitality giant Muong Thanh Group, who gambled 81 times and spent $531,800. Another Muong Thanh employee, Truong Xuan Danh, gambled 45 times, with a total amount of $58,700.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Consequences
Of the nine remaining individuals who have not been prosecuted, one is a staff member at the Central Military Hospital 108 and has been referred to military investigators. Two individuals who gambled less than VND5 million ($190) face fines, while two others have been deemed mentally unfit. Four individuals are currently in hiding and are wanted by the police.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of enforcing anti-gambling laws in Vietnam and the potential for corruption and abuse within high-ranking positions. The involvement of officials and public figures underscores the need for stricter oversight and accountability in such matters.
