Is playing cards for fun illegal? is one of the questions many people have when deciding to entertain themselves with this activity.
It is easy to see that playing cards for fun often takes place during important holidays in Vietnam, and most of the time, there are rewards involved.
Therefore, to avoid getting into trouble, you should thoroughly understand this issue.
Is playing cards for fun illegal?
Playing cards for fun is one of the essential spiritual activities for Vietnamese people during holidays.
This is not just a pure entertainment game, but players also use money to participate. Initially, it might just be small amounts of lucky money, but it can later escalate to unimaginable levels.
To determine whether playing cards for fun is illegal, we need to consider different scenarios.
For example, if you are just playing cards for fun with friends or family members without any betting involved, it is not considered illegal.
However, if players use betting or money in the game, this is considered an illegal act.
If evidence of betting, such as money or valuable items, is found, the individuals involved will be held criminally responsible depending on the severity of the act.
Will you be arrested for playing cards with small bets like 1, 2 thousand or 4 thousand?
A common misconception is that playing cards for fun is only illegal if large amounts of money are involved, while small amounts like 1 or 2 thousand VND are not.
However, regardless of the amount, as long as there is evidence of betting, under Vietnamese law, it is considered illegal gambling.
According to the law, gambling involves using money or valuable assets for transactions or exchanges, so even if it’s just 1 thousand VND or items like rings, watches, phones, necklaces, etc., used in the game, it is considered a violation of the law.
Therefore, you will be penalized according to the law.
Can you be arrested for playing cards for fun?
As mentioned above, playing cards for fun can be divided into two categories: legal and illegal.
If you are just playing cards for entertainment without using any cash or valuable items in the game, you will not be arrested.
However, if the authorities discover that you are playing cards for fun with money involved, even the smallest amount, you will be held accountable.
Depending on the severity of the act, you may face imprisonment or administrative penalties according to different levels.
Penalties for being caught playing cards for fun
After understanding whether playing cards for fun is illegal, you can refer to how to handle situations if caught.
If you organize a card game for fun and get caught, you will be subject to administrative and criminal liability depending on the severity as follows:
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a) Administrative penalties for playing cards for fun during Tet
In cases where we organize gambling with any type of card game involving betting with physical items, illegal gambling using machines, or illegal sports betting, administrative fines ranging from 200,000 VND to 500,000 VND will be imposed, and all related items will be confiscated.
If someone is aware of but conceals illegal gambling activities, the fine can range from 2,000,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND depending on the severity.
Acts of enticing or persuading others to play cards using physical items will be fined from 5,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND.
In cases of deliberately organizing gambling activities, issuing lottery tickets, or sports betting for money, fines ranging from 10,000,000 VND to 20,000,000 VND will be imposed.
Thus, whether playing cards for fun, organizing gambling sessions, or being an accomplice, knowing but not reporting, all are against the law.
b) Criminal penalties of 7 years in prison for playing cards for fun
After answering the question of whether playing cards for fun is illegal according to Article 321 of the Penal Code, you should also know that organizing card games can lead to criminal prosecution in the following cases:
For minor offenses such as illegal gambling losses, fines ranging from 20 million VND to 100 million VND and re-education/imprisonment of up to 3 years may be imposed.
This applies to physical items valued between 5 million VND and 50 million VND.
For professional acts, where the value of the physical items found exceeds 50 million VND, using the internet to commit crimes, or showing signs of recidivism, the penalty can range from 3 years to 7 years in prison.
Additionally, there is an administrative fine of up to 50,000,000 VND, so you need to be cautious.
Is playing cards for entertainment at home punishable?
Playing cards for entertainment at home without using physical items will not be penalized. In other words, purely recreational activities such as playing cards with forfeits like kneeling or smudging with soot have no basis for punishment.
However, if you deliberately use money or valuable items to play cards, you will be subject to administrative or criminal penalties depending on the severity of the issue.
Conclusion
The information we have just explored above has surely helped you answer the question is playing cards for fun illegal.
In reality, traditional gambling sessions using money, whether small or large amounts, are illegal and are gradually disappearing today.
Play purely for fun to stay safe, or consider choosing online forms of entertainment with secure rewards as a more thoughtful option.
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