Experts Urge Unified Reform for Korea’s Casino Industry

South Korea’s integrated resort (IR) industry is at a crossroads. During a recent Korea Times Global Business Club event, tourism and policy experts demanded bold reforms to make the sector more competitive, warning that outdated systems and fragmented oversight are holding it back.

A Need for Fresh Ideas and Mergers 

Moderator Seo Won-seok, a professor at Kyung Hee University, emphasized the need for new ideas and creating “culturally rich and sustainable tourism destinations”. 

The professor went on to urge policymakers to get their teachings from global success stories and figure out how to merge culture with modern tourism infrastructure.

Much of the concern revolves around the way the country’s casino industry, which encompasses 18 casinos, is managed, with oversight divided between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the National Gambling Control Commission (NGCC), and Jeju Province. The latter runs its own licensing system. 

Experts say this split structure causes confusion and slows progress. Currently, only Kangwon Land Casino accepts locals. 

“We need a single body that can both regulate and lead,” explained Lee Jae-seok, associate professor at Gangneung-Wonju National University. 

“Without structural transformation, the country risks falling behind regional rivals.” He added that the constant rotation of ministry officials makes it difficult to build long-term expertise or consistent policy.

Not All About Gaming

Other countries in the region, like Singapore and Japan, have created unified regulatory agencies to manage casino development. Lee said South Korea should follow that model to avoid falling further behind as Japan prepares to open its first IR in Osaka by 2030.

Beyond structure, the experts said Korea must rethink what its integrated resorts offer. “The next generation of IRs can’t depend solely on gaming; they must integrate entertainment, culture, and sports to attract diverse visitors,” said Lee. 

He pointed out that Korea’s cultural exports, such as K-pop and esports, could give its resorts a unique edge.

An Ock Mo, president of the Association of Korea Gaming Tourism Professionals, told GGRAsia that regulation should go beyond social-harm prevention and promote growth and tourism. 

Accordingly, Mo proposed an integrated casino management authority that would improve transparency, protect consumers, and strengthen investor confidence. As tourism rebounds with partial help from visa-free travel for Chinese group tourists, panelists agreed that Korea’s IR sector needs a unified vision.