National Assembly regulates sports betting businesses
On the morning of June 14, continuing the working program of the fifth session, under the direction of Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong, the National Assembly voted to pass the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Physical Training and Sports with 93.84% of delegates in favor.
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| National Assembly session on the morning of June 14. |
Regarding the State's policy on physical education and sports development, the Law amends and supplements Clause 4, Article 4, Law on Physical Education and Sports No. 77/2006/QH as follows: Prioritize investment in physical education and sports development in areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions; prioritize the development of swimming, traditional martial arts and ethnic sports.
Regarding prohibited acts in physical education and sports activities, the Law amends and supplements Clause 1, Article 10, accordingly, it is strictly forbidden to take advantage of physical education and sports activities to infringe upon national and ethnic interests, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals; causing damage to the health, life, honor, dignity and reputation of people; and it is strictly forbidden to conduct physical education and sports activities contrary to social ethics, customs and national cultural identity. At the same time, the Law supplements Clause 7, Article 10, accordingly, it is strictly forbidden to organize illegal sports betting and illegal sports betting.
Regarding the authority to decide on organizing mass sports competitions, the Law stipulates that the Prime Minister decides on organizing mass sports competitions including: Regional, continental and world sports competitions held in Vietnam for people with disabilities at the request of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Regional, continental and world sports competitions held in Vietnam for students; National Phu Dong Sports Festival for students at the request of the Minister of Education and Training; Regional, continental and world sports competitions held in Vietnam for armed forces at the request of the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Public Security.
In addition, the Law stipulates that the Minister of Education and Training, the Minister of National Defense, and the Minister of Public Security, within the scope of their duties and powers, decide to organize regional, continental, and world-level sports competitions in Vietnam for students and armed forces.
The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism decides to organize regional, continental and world level sports competitions in Vietnam for people with disabilities; national level mass sports competitions. People's Committees at all levels decide to organize local mass sports competitions...
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| Ball fight between SLNA and Hai Phong players. |
Regarding sports competitions in schools, the Law stipulates that the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and People's Committees at all levels are responsible for organizing sports competitions to develop the physical education and sports movement in schools. Schools are responsible for organizing sports competitions at least once per school year. The content, form, and regulations on sports competitions must be appropriate to the psychological and physiological characteristics of the age of the students and the physical facilities of the school.
Regarding the development of high-performance sports, the law stipulates that high-performance sports are systematic sports training and competition activities of coaches and athletes to achieve sports achievements and records. The State has policies to develop high-performance sports, focusing on investing in building modern facilities and equipment; training and fostering athletes and coaches to reach national and international levels; organizing high-performance sports competitions, participating in international sports tournaments; encouraging organizations and individuals to participate in the development of high-performance sports; having specific policies for female athletes and female coaches during training and competition.
Regarding sports betting, the Law stipulates that sports betting is a form of entertainment with rewards in which bettors make predictions about possible outcomes in sports events used for betting business. Sports betting business must ensure the following principles: sports betting business is a conditional business activity, subject to strict control by competent state management agencies.
Sports betting businesses are only allowed to operate when they have been granted a certificate of eligibility to conduct sports betting by a competent authority. Betting businesses must be transparent, objective, honest, and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of the participating parties. The currency used for sports betting and payouts in sports betting businesses is Vietnamese Dong. The Government decides on the List of sports activities that are allowed to conduct sports betting, and provides detailed regulations on sports betting businesses.
The law comes into effect from January 1, 2019.