Yeongjong-do also in line for gaming
Jeju Province, one of nine provinces in South Korea, has drafted legislation that would lay the groundwork for casino gaming in the country. According to the Jeju Weekly, the provincial government has acknowledged the value of integrated resort (IR) development and “actively begun to consolidate IR operating infrastructure.” The legislation was submitted in December.
Last August, the central government announced a stimulus package that would support the establishment of integrated resorts both in Jeju and Yeongjong-do.
As it considers the changes a gaming industry would bring, Jeju is looking for solutions to Singapore, which began a study of integrated resorts in 2004, launched a public-relations campaign to allay community fears about their potential impact, and opened two IRs in 2010. The republic has since seen appreciable benefits, including 40,000 new jobs and increased revenues for ancillary “small to medium enterprises”?small businesses such as florists, caterers, laundries, transportation and security.
In addition, reported the Weekly, the number of international visitors to Singapore have increased every year, growing 13 million people in 2011 to 14.5 million in 2012 and 15.6 million in 2013. Tourism revenues hit an all-time high of S$23.5 billion in 2013 ($US18.8 billion).
