Casinos Austria will be among the businesses accompanying Austrian President Heinz Fischer during a state visit to Vietnam this month.

Speaking during a conference session at G2E Asia in Macau today, Richard Lehrner, senior adviser to the Casinos Austria board, revealed that the company is focusing on the Vietnamese gaming market.

Vietnam is widely considered to be a future gaming hotspot in Asia, with several development projects already under way. Lehrner explained, however, that although Casinos Austria is indeed targeting Vietnam, new gaming legislation needs to be drafted first.

At present, he explained, it is possible to operate slot parlours in five-star hotels but table games are only permitted in specific properties under special agreements with the government. Vietnamese citizens are also barred from playing in casinos. “We are waiting for the new gaming law,” he said.