KienGiang (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has agreed topropose the Finance Ministry consider extending the pilot permission ofVietnamese people to play games at a casino in the island city of Phu Quoc foranother three years.

Theproposed extension, until January 7, 2025, aims to help make more preciseassessment of the effectiveness of the complex of ecotourism, entertainment,hotel, commercial, and goods transportation services, resorts, conventioncentres and related facilities in Ganh Dau commune, along with the pilotprogramme, local authorities said.

Theynoted the complex, operating since January 2019, has contributed to localsocio-economic development. In particular, the casino has created jobs for1,122 Vietnamese and 32 foreigners; attracted 240,560 visitors,including 156,533 Vietnamese; and paid 1.73 trillion VND (72.5 million USD) tothe local budget.

KienGiang authorities held that this could be viewed as a tourism product helpingPhu Quoc attract more domestic and foreign tourists in the time ahead.

Itsinvestor, the Phu Quoc Tourism Development and Investment JSC, has ensuredstrict and effective management of Vietnamese players at the casino along withdemand for this service, they added.

NguyenThanh Nhan, Vice Chairman of the Kien Giang People’s Committee, said casinoactivities and the pilot permission of Vietnamese to enter the casino have been carriedout in line with the Politburo and Government’s guideline and policy.

Partof casino entry fees has been allocated for delivering social welfare to thecommunity and safeguarding security and order in Phu Quoc, he added./.