Jeju Dream xTower recorded its highest-ever monthly casino visitation in September, extending a year of double-digit growth in overall resort revenue even as casino earnings declined due to an unusually low table hold rate.

Lotte Tour Development reported on October 1 that the Jeju integrated resort generated 43.4 billion won in combined casino and hotel revenue during September. For the first nine months of 2026, total revenue reached 525.3 billion won, representing a 15.9% increase compared with the same period a year earlier.

The resort also delivered one of its strongest quarters on record, according to AJP News Agency. Third-quarter revenue totaled 175.9 billion won, ranking as the fourth-highest quarterly result in the property’s history, while both visitation and gaming activity reached new highs.

Despite those gains, September casino revenue fell significantly as player-friendly results pushed the hold rate well below historical averages.

Record Visitor Numbers Drive Strong Gaming Activity

According to filings with the Korea Exchange, Jeju Dream Tower welcomed 66,393 casino visitors in September, surpassing the previous monthly record of 63,192 established in May. The figure contributed to a quarterly visitation total of 188,147, another all-time high for the property.

Gaming activity remained robust throughout the period. September table drop reached 237.8 billion won, making it one of the strongest monthly performances of the year. On a quarterly basis, table drop climbed to 748.4 billion won, up 17.4% from the previous quarter.

For the first nine months of 2026, casino drop amount increased 10.1% year-on-year to 1.96 trillion won. Casino revenue over the same period rose 17.7% to 393.1 billion won, demonstrating continued growth despite the softer September result.

The resort’s hotel business also maintained positive momentum. Third-quarter hotel revenue reached a record 48.6 billion won. Lotte Tour Development has previously described hotel performance as an important indicator of future casino demand, making the latest figures notable ahead of the final quarter of the year.

Lower Hold Rate Reduces September Casino Revenue

Although visitation and wagering volumes remained strong, September casino revenue declined sharply because of a lower-than-normal hold rate.

Net casino revenue for the month came in at 29.1 billion won, down 37.7% from August and 45.1% lower than September 2025. Table games generated 25.8 billion won in revenue, while gaming machines contributed 3.31 billion won.

Machine revenue showed improvement despite the overall decline, increasing 80.6% year-on-year and 21.3% compared with the previous month.

The primary factor behind the weaker casino result was the table hold rate, which dropped to 10.84%. That figure was the lowest level recorded since December 2023 and stood well below the property’s 12-month average hold rate of 20%.

A representative from Lotte Tour Development stated, “Despite the record number of 66,393 casino visitors in September and a drop amount of 237.8 billion won, the casino performance fell short of market expectations due to the historically low table hold rate.”

The company noted that fluctuations in hold rates are a common feature of casino operations and can have a significant impact on short-term revenue regardless of visitor numbers or wagering volume.

Examples cited by the company included major casino operators in Macau and South Korea. The Venetian Macao reported a mass table hold rate of 20.4% during the second quarter, below its average over the previous four quarters of 23.1%. Paradise City also experienced a hold rate of 5.7% in March, significantly lower than its 26-month average of 11.7%.

Quarterly casino revenue at Jeju Dream Tower reached 127.3 billion won, down 13.4% from the previous quarter’s 147.1 billion won, reflecting the impact of September’s lower hold performance.

Focus Turns to Fourth-Quarter Performance

Management remains optimistic about the final quarter of the year, citing expected increases in travel demand and international connectivity.

China’s National Day holiday, often referred to as Golden Week, began on October 1 and runs through October 7. Lotte Tour Development expects hotel occupancy to approach 94% during the holiday period, compared with 84.4% during the same period last year.

The company also highlighted plans for a substantial increase in direct international flights serving Jeju Island after October, which could support further visitor growth.

While September’s revenue figures were affected by gaming outcomes, record visitation, rising drop volumes and continued growth across the resort’s operations suggest demand remained strong heading into the final months of 2026.