In South Korea, legislation has reportedly been introduced that would raise the current minimum age for all players wishing to enjoy the delights of the nation’s many casinos by a further two years to 21.

Multiple movers:

According to a Friday report from GGRAsia, South Korea is home to some 17 casinos although locals are only are permitted to gamble alongside foreign nationals inside the Kangwon Land Casino, which is located in rural Kangwon Province some 93 miles from Seoul. Opened in 2000 and operated by Kangwon Land Incorporated, this facility features the Asian country’s largest gaming floor at 293,757 sq ft gaming floor alongside a collection of around 180 gaming tables as well as approximately 1,360 slots.

Addiction prevention:

The proposed measure was reportedly introduced into the National Assembly by Party for Democracy and Peace legislator Kim Kwang-Soo on Tuesday after being co-sponsored by nine other federal lawmakers. Designed as a way to help prevent young players from developing an addiction to gambling, the legislation purportedly calls for Articles 22 and 28 of the Tourism Promotion Act to be amended in order to increase the minimum age for all gamblers to 21.

Analogous aims:

In filing the proposed legislation, Kim detailed that incidents of gambling addiction have recently been on the rise while asserting that his measure would bring South Korea into line with other Asian nations such as Singapore and Macau in requiring that all casino players be at least 21 years of age.

Kangwon detriment:

The Korea Casino Association will likely combat Kim’s proposed legislation by submitting an opposing opinion to the country’s National Assembly. The group is purportedly moreover expected to argue that the measure would hit Kangwon Land Casino the hardest due to its reliance on local players and further exacerbate last year’s 32.1% drop in comparable profits.