The domestic casino industry is currently balancing improved performance in foreign-exclusive casinos and intense competition among integrated resorts with the ongoing challenge of combating illegal online casinos.
According to the casino industry on the 4th, Grand Korea Leisure (GKL) reported September casino revenue of 37.276 billion KRW, a 7.2% increase compared to the same month last year.
Table game revenue rose by 8.4% to 34.008 billion KRW, while machine revenue decreased by 4.5% to 3.268 billion KRW. Cumulative casino revenue from January to September reached 337.241 billion KRW, a 5.8% increase year-on-year.
Paradise reported September casino revenue of 86.726 billion KRW, up 38.2% from the same month last year. Table revenue increased by 40.4% to 81.077 billion KRW, and machine revenue grew by 12.6% to 5.649 billion KRW.
Cumulative casino revenue from January to September reached 744.588 billion KRW, a 10.8% increase compared to the same period last year.
With both Paradise and GKL showing revenue growth, it is assessed that the foreign-exclusive casino market is continuing its upward trend alongside the recovery of foreign tourism.
In particular, the notable growth in table game revenue has intensified competition among casino operators to attract overseas VIPs and general foreign tourists.
In Jeju, casino management and supervision are being strengthened in time for the Chinese National Day holiday.
From the 1st to the 7th, the Jeju provincial government is conducting special guidance and inspections of the seven casinos currently operating in the province. Key inspection areas include compliance with business regulations, access management, and CCTV surveillance.
The goal is to inspect operational order and safety management in preparation for the increase in casino users following the rise in Chinese tourists.
Competition among integrated resorts to attract customers using non-casino content is also drawing attention.
At the Inspire Entertainment Resort in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, the global EDM festival 'EDC KOREA' is being held on the 3rd and 4th. With a significant portion of the estimated 50,000 attendees expected to be foreigners, expectations are high for increased usage of the foreign-exclusive casino, in addition to performance, lodging, and food and beverage services.
This marks the full-scale implementation of an integrated resort strategy that uses large-scale performances and entertainment content to attract customers and convert them into users of casinos, hotels, shopping, and dining facilities.
On the other hand, the issue of illegal online casinos remains a persistent headache for the industry.
Although police recently apprehended an organization that impersonated Kangwon Land to attract over 40,000 users and operate 78 billion KRW in gambling funds, illegal online casino promotions using Kangwon Land's name and images continue to circulate on closed social media platforms like Telegram.
Methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with the emergence of deepfake advertisements featuring famous athletes and impersonations of large platforms like Naver and Kakao.
Industry experts point out that amidst the recovery of foreign casino performance and intensifying resort competition, a more robust response system is needed to block illegal online casinos, prevent brand theft, and protect users.
