Entrepreneurs and celebrities stand trial in over US$107 million illegal gambling ring at Pullman Hotel Hanoi

The trial of 141 defendants in one of Vietnam’s largest gambling corruption cases has opened at the Hanoi People’s Court, after investigators uncovered an illegal casino operation inside the Pullman Hotel in Hanoi. The ring is alleged to have processed more than US$107 million in wagers.

Of the 141 people on trial, 136 are charged with gambling offences while five face organising gambling charges, including three South Korean nationals.The illegal venue operated under the guise of the “King Club” at Pullman, leasing premises from Viet Hai Dang Company and allowing Vietnamese nationals – despite legal restrictions – to gamble using aliases and foreign-visitor cards.

Prosecutors say the scheme ran between 2020 and mid-2024. One individual, a Vietnamese former vice chairman of a provincial people’s committee, lost over US$7 million using a card registered under “Mr. Michael”.The main organiser, South Korean Nik Kim In Sung, is alleged to have profited more than US$9.2 million and remains at large.

Vietnam’s authorities say the case highlights severe enforcement and regulatory gaps in the gaming law – particularly in venues intended for foreigners that were used by locals. The operation exploited a pilot scheme for foreign-only gaming, while Vietnamese players used false identities.

The trial is expected to continue into November 2025. Observers note the broader impact on Vietnam’s gaming and hospitality industry: official scrutiny of foreign-visitor casinos has intensified and could delay further liberalisation or extension of casino licenses in the country.