Instructions for registering for an online game business license

Online game business license is an important first step to legalize business activities in the field of online games, while also opening up opportunities for long-term and sustainable development. With this license, businesses not only ensure legal compliance, but also build trust with partners and players. This is also the basis for protecting business interests and participating in a potentially competitive market.

Types of online game business licenses today

According to the provisions of Article 31 of Decree 72/2013/ND-CP, video games are classified based on two main criteria as follows:

According to the method of providing and using online game services, divided into symbols G1, G2, G3, G4:

• G1: The game allows many players to interact with each other simultaneously through the enterprise’s server system.
• G2: The game only has interaction between players and the business’s server system.
• G3: The game has interaction between many players but is not connected to the enterprise server system.
• G4: The game is downloaded from the internet and there is no interaction between players or the server system.

According to player age:

• Video games for adults: For players 18 years of age and older, denoted 18+.
• Video games for teens: For players 12 years of age and older, denoted 12+.
• Video games for all ages: For all ages, symbol 00+.

Necessary conditions to register for an online game business license

For G1 video game supply licenses:

According to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 32 of Decree 72/2013/ND-CP, amended and supplemented by Decree 27/2019/ND-CP, businesses are granted a License to provide G1 online game services when the following conditions are met:

• Legal enterprise: Established in accordance with Vietnamese law, with the profession of providing online video game services posted on the National Business Registration Portal.
• Domain name registration: The business has registered a domain name used to provide video game services.
• Financial, technical and human resources capabilities: The enterprise has sufficient financial, technical and human resources capabilities appropriate to the scale of operations, according to the provisions of Articles 32a and 32b of the Decree.
• Information security: There are measures to ensure information safety and security for video game services.

For licenses to provide G2, G3, G4 video games:

According to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 33 of Decree 72/2013/ND-CP, amended and supplemented by Decree 27/2019/ND-CP, businesses are granted a License to provide G2 and G3 video game services, G4 needs to meet the following conditions:

1. Legal enterprise: An enterprise established in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law, whose business line of providing online video game services has been posted on the National Business Registration Portal.
2. Domain name registration: The enterprise has registered the domain name used to provide video game services in case of providing services via the Internet.
3. Personnel conditions:

• Has a head office with a clear address and contact phone number.
• Have at least 01 people in charge of managing video games.

Procedures for applying for an online game business license

Necessary documents

Procedures for applying for a G1 online game business license

Licensing documents are specified in Article 32 of Decree 72/2013/ND-CP, amended and supplemented by Decree 27/2018/ND-CP, including:

1. License application: According to sample number 15 in Appendix 1 of the Decree.
2. Valid copy: Includes a copy of the Business Registration Certificate or Investment Registration Certificate (or a copy of another valid equivalent Certificate or license).
3. Project to provide G1 video game services, including the following main contents:

• Service delivery plan.
• Device system diagram.
• Description of equipment system.
• Information about service connection.
• Payment system.
• Plan for using Internet resources.
• Plan to ensure service quality.
• Surveillance and security system.
• Information security.

Procedures for applying for a registration certificate to provide G2, G3, G4 video game services

Licensing documents are specified in Article 33 of Decree 72/2013/ND-CP, amended and supplemented by Decree 27/2018/ND-CP, including:

1. Application for certificate: According to model number 19 in Appendix I of the Decree.
2. Valid copy: Includes a copy of the Business Registration Certificate or Investment Registration Certificate (or equivalent license).
3. Document confirming legal use of domain name: For international domain names.
4. Project to provide electronic game services, including the following contents:

• Service delivery plan.
• Device system diagram.
• Device information.
• Information on service provision methods.
• Service payment method.
• Measures to ensure service quality.

Licensing process for online game business

For licensing procedures to provide G1 video game services

The licensing process is specified in Article 32 of Decree 72/2013/ND-CP, amended and supplemented by Decree 27/2018/ND-CP, as follows:

Step 1: Submit application

The enterprise submits 01 set of original documents requesting a license to provide G1 video game services to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information) in one of the following forms:

• Submit directly.
• Submit by post.
• Via the Internet.

Step 2: Process documents

• Within 30 days from the date of receiving a valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications will review and issue a license to provide G1 video game services.
• If the license is refused, the Ministry of Information and Communications will send a written response, clearly stating the reason for the refusal.

For licensing procedures to provide G2, G3, G4 video game services

The licensing process is specified in Article 33 of Decree 72/2013/ND-CP, amended and supplemented by Decree 27/2018/ND-CP, as follows:

Step 1: Submit application

The enterprise submits 01 set of original documents to request a Certificate of registration to provide G2, G3, G4 video game services to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information) according to one of the following forms:

• Submit directly.
• Submit by post.
• Via the Internet.

Step 2: Processing documents:

• Within 20 days from the date of receiving a valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications (Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information) will review and issue a Certificate of registration to provide video game services.
• If the certificate is refused, the Ministry of Information and Communications will send a written response.

Consulting on registering for an online game business license in Long Phan

At Long Phan, we provide comprehensive support services in registering for an online game business license. Our services include:

• Consulting in detail the regulations and conditions to be licensed to do online game business.
• Support in drafting accurate and complete online game business license registration documents.
• Consulting and guidance on preparing documents to prove game business capacity.
• Support customers to submit and track documents at state management agencies on games.
• Support processing and amending documents when additional requests arise from competent authorities.
• Consulting on procedures related to online game business.

Registering an online game business license in accordance with regulations is a key factor to help businesses operate legally and professionally in the gaming field. A carefully prepared application and strict compliance with regulations will significantly shorten the review time and increase the likelihood of being licensed. Please contact the hotline 0906735386 for detailed advice and optimal support.