Following hard on the heels of the announcement that the Japanese casino ban may be lifted, South Korea is also considering licensing more casinos. At present the foreigners-only casinos are allowed only in the cities where international facilities by air and sea are available. The one casino open to the Korean public is the KangwonLand Resort & Casino and there are twelve other casinos where only foreigners may play.

At a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister a revision of the tourism law has been passed. Foreigners-only casinos will be permitted across the country wherever an operator can demonstrate the ability to cater for foreign tourists. Such a relaxation of the existing law will be closely monitored but is perceived as the way to promote both the tourist industry and equality for the regions.

The fact that there is only one casino open to them does not prevent the South Koreans from gambling. In December last year the Ministry of Culture and Tourism declared that some 13,000 adult arcades with slot machines or simulated horseracing were operating around the country, up by 50% since 2002. At these betting locales only modest amounts of money can legally be won or bet, but the industry is worth an estimated US$1.17 billion with nearly US$33 million being wagered daily. (E-02.28.06)

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