Is Gambling with BIDV Legal?
Vietnam’s legal framework for gambling remains highly restricted, but the use of BIDV services for financial transactions themselves is entirely legitimate. The legality question doesn’t hinge on the payment method but rather on where and how the funds are used. BIDV, as a licensed Vietnamese bank regulated by the State Bank of Vietnam, must adhere to local compliance laws, anti-money laundering (AML) policies, and know-your-customer (KYC) verification standards.
In Vietnam, only state-approved casinos (such as those in Phu Quoc or Da Nang) are permitted to operate locally and only some allow Vietnamese citizens to participate. However, Vietnamese players often access international online casinos based offshore, where gambling is legal under foreign jurisdictions. In these cases, BIDV cards or transfers can be used if the merchant’s acquiring bank accepts Vietnamese-issued cards. BIDV itself does not endorse or facilitate gambling directly, but international payments through its Visa/Mastercard network or foreign exchange channels can indirectly support deposits on recognized foreign gaming sites. In practice, Vietnamese players using BIDV often rely on e-wallet intermediaries (like Skrill or Neteller) or crypto exchanges linked to BIDV accounts to bypass domestic restrictions safely and discreetly.
Using BIDV for online casinos is a grey-area activity – not illegal in itself, but tied to how and where the transaction is processed. Players should verify that their casino operates under a legitimate international license and complies with payment transparency standards.
Availability by Region
| Region | Legal Gambling Environment | BIDV Usability | Notes |
| Vietnam | Restricted | ⚠️ Limited | Only state-approved casinos; foreign sites accessed via intermediaries. |
| Cambodia | Legalized | ✅ Available | BIDV has partnerships and branches in Cambodia. |
| Laos | Legalized | ✅ Available | BIDV operates directly and supports cross-border banking. |
| Thailand | Restricted | ⚠️ Limited | Casino payments via BIDV not officially supported. |
| Philippines | Legal (regulated) | ✅ Available | Accepted for international remittances. |
| International (EU, UK, Curacao casinos) | Legal | ✅ Available | Deposits via BIDV Visa/Mastercard or e-wallets accepted. |