The Ministry of Finance has proposed expanding the authority to impose administrative penalties in the lottery business sector to include police, provincial People's Committee chairpersons, and directors of finance departments. This recommendation is part of a draft amendment to the Decree on penalties in the lottery business. The proposed maximum fine for these violations is 100 million VND.

Administrative violations in the lottery business encompass infractions related to the issuance, distribution, and sale of lottery tickets that do not warrant criminal prosecution. These violations would be subject to monetary fines or other administrative measures.

Currently, administrative penalties fall under the jurisdiction of financial inspectorates. However, these specific state apparatus positions no longer exist, necessitating the expansion of penalty authority to other officials.

The draft specifically outlines the decentralized powers for police forces. Police officers would be authorized to issue warnings. Commune-level police chiefs could issue warnings, impose fines up to 50 million VND, confiscate evidence, and implement remedial measures.

Heads of professional departments within various bureaus and provincial police department heads would have the authority to impose fines up to 80 million VND. Provincial police directors and bureau directors could issue warnings, impose fines up to 100 million VND, along with additional supplementary measures.

Beyond the police force, the draft also grants additional authority to provincial People's Committee chairpersons. These provincial leaders could impose fines up to 100 million VND, confiscate evidence, and temporarily suspend business operations. The power to suspend business would apply to violations concerning ticket printing and issuance, product types, or promotional activities within their jurisdiction.

Directors of finance departments would also be granted the authority to impose maximum fines of 80 million VND, along with accompanying enforcement measures.

Currently, Vietnam has 63 provincial lottery companies, each owned by its respective provincial People's Committee, and the Vietnam Lottery Company (Vietlott), owned by the Ministry of Finance. Both operate as state-owned enterprises with 100% state capital.

In 2025, the entire lottery industry generated 177,196 billion VND in revenue, marking a 10.48% increase from the previous year. The sector contributed 57,160 billion VND to the state budget, which was nearly 116% of the target set by the National Assembly. All revenue from lottery activities is allocated to local budgets, supporting essential sectors such as healthcare, education, social welfare, and development investment, as approved annually by the National Assembly.

Phuong Dung