In a bold move the Government of South Korea has approved the opening of two additional ‘foreigners only’ casinos for the country, bringing the total to 17. One of the two new operations has been licensed for the capital city Seoul, while the other license is for the southern city of Busan. The first casino was set up in South Korea at Incheon City, one hour’s drive away from Seoul, and was authorized 37 years ago.

As a casino strictly for foreign tourists or businessmen, locals will still have access only to the casino in the Kangwon province, a four-hour drive north of Seoul. This casino closes for four hours daily, apart from Sundays when it is open round the clock.

Locals, however, have access only on Tuesdays. Over nearly 40 years the government has kept close control on the access to the casino by the locals, in response to religious groups and community leaders concerned about the effects of gambling on the nation.

In a slight slackening of regulations earlier this month the government agreed to lower the legal age from 20 to 19. Apart from this giving people of 19 the right to vote and handle their legal affairs, they may now visit nightclubs and casinos.

The government’s explanation for the authorization of the new operations resides in its view that the casino industry is getting more competitive in the sub region, as large American companies enter the Asian market. The decision, however, is revenue driven as the government expects the casinos to generate around $150 million per annum.

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