Vietnamese citizens will be permitted to gamble in a casino on Phu Quoc Island in a three-year pilot program expected to start next year, following approval by the central government, according to authorities in Phu Quoc, a popular tourist destination in the southern province of Kien Giang, Nikkei Asian Review reports. Vingroup, the biggest casino company in Vietnam, has obtained approval from the government to develop a casino in Phu Quoc, according to European Gaming. The US$2.1 billion casino and hotel will start functioning in 2021. It’s not clear how much of illegal gambling the state hopes to bring above ground. What is clear is that the government needs new tax revenue sources as it comes close to breaching its self-imposed public debt ceiling of 65% of gross domestic product (GDP), writes David Hutt for Asia Times.