Kangwon Land Inc, operator of South Korea’s only casino open to local residents, is significantly ramping up its efforts to attract international gamblers. As part of a broader strategy to compete with neighboring markets, the company has introduced a series of initiatives designed to boost its foreigner-only gaming zone, while also expanding the overall resort and increasing betting limits on select tables.

New travel incentives to drive international tourism:

In an effort to expand its global reach, Kangwon Land is now offering direct financial incentives to overseas travel agencies that bring in guests. According to details shared with GGRAsia, agencies that bring players to the foreigner-only gaming zone reportedly can earn KRW10,000 (approximately US$7.24) per visitor and an additional KRW10,000 per guide accompanying them. These bonuses rise significantly for high-volume performance, with agencies eligible for KRW10 million for every 1,000 players introduced, increasing in KRW10 million increments with each additional 1,000 visitors.

Additionally, travel agencies booking more than 200 hotel rooms during the spring and autumn seasons are eligible for room incentives at KRW10,000 per night, with KRW5,000 applied in the summer and winter. While this applies to many countries, Chinese mainland agencies can only qualify for the hotel-related incentives.

The resort, comprising 924 rooms across several hotel towers and condo-style accommodations, is positioning itself as a multi-attraction destination. The company is also bundling winter sports experiences with casino offerings through “ski and casino” packages aimed at leisure-seeking travelers.

Kangwon Land’s foreigner-only casino area, a ground-floor facility adjacent to the mass gaming floor, has recently undergone notable regulatory shifts. Initially capped at a KRW100,000 (US$69) maximum bet, the limit was raised to KRW300,000 and eventually escalated to KRW20 million in February. Management has plans to increase it even further to KRW300 million over time.

This is the first time in 14 years that betting limits have been relaxed for Kangwon Land, signaling a deliberate pivot toward attracting a broader mix of players. The exclusive gaming space currently features eight tables—three for baccarat, three for blackjack, one for sic bo, and one for roulette. No slot machines are available in the area, which receives a modest flow of foreign clientele daily.

The company also reported a 417% year-on-year rise in foreign tourist arrivals, reaching about 62,000 visitors in 2024 compared to just 12,000 in 2023. Key contributors included travelers from the Philippines, supported by charter flight arrangements that brought in 1,000 visitors in December, with plans to grow that number to 5,000 this year.

Expanded betting limits on the main gaming floor:

Kangwon Land has also received approval from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to increase minimum bets on selected mass-market and VIP tables. Beginning May 21, minimum wagers at two blackjack tables rose from KRW100,000 to KRW300,000, while similar changes will be implemented for two Texas Hold’em tables in early June. On the VIP floor, the minimum bet for baccarat has already been increased to KRW500,000.

These changes are part of a wider strategy aimed at appealing to high-stakes players and international guests seeking premium gaming experiences. The operator earned KRW316.8 billion in gaming revenue during the first quarter of 2024, representing a slight year-on-year decline of 0.2%. VIP revenue rose 4.2% to KRW48.7 billion, while mass table play saw a 0.5% decrease.

Under the K-HIT 1.0 initiative—a major revitalization plan unveiled in 2023—Kangwon Land is investing KRW179.6 billion into developing a second casino, which will also be open to locals. Scheduled for completion by December 2027, this new venue is just one component of a much larger US$1.9 billion master plan.

The expansion also includes the construction of a new hotel, a year-round outdoor pool, theater space, retail areas, and wellness facilities. Walking trails and other recreational features around the property are also being redesigned to offer a more holistic experience.

A key infrastructure improvement supporting these developments is a new west-east highway linking Seoul to the east-coast city of Samcheok via Gangwon Province. Once complete, the Seoul-to-Kangwon Land trip could be shortened to as little as two and a half hours, facilitating easier access for both domestic and international visitors. The resort operator now hopes to increase its annual visitor count from 6 million to 10 million.