HANOI, Dec 24: Communist Vietnam is considering lifting its ban on football betting to help finance cash-strapped teams, state media reported on Friday.

The Sports Ministry has proposed allowing a state-run football betting operation to raise money for the teams, the Phap Luat Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh newspaper quoted the ministry as saying.

All forms of gambling are stigmatised as a "social evil" in Vietnam and are punishable by up to seven years in jail. The government has allowed casinos in hotels, but only foreigners are allowed to play. -Reuters