South Korea’s casino industry exhibited varied performance in October, with Grand Korea Leisure Co. (GKL) reporting a decline in revenue while Jeju Dream Tower posted notable growth, according to recent financial disclosures published by Asia Gaming Brief.
GKL, a subsidiary of the Korea Tourism Organization that operates three foreigner-only Seven Luck casinos in Seoul and Busan, recorded casino revenue of KRW28.56 billion (US$20 million) in October.
Key Takeaways:
- GKL reports a 6.5% decline in October casino revenue, impacted by weaker table play
- Jeju Dream Tower’s revenue doubles year-on-year, driven by sustained visitor traffic
- Industry sees contrasting trends reflecting regional tourism and gaming preferences
GKL Casino Revenue Falls on Softer Table Play
The revenue represents a 6.5% decrease compared with the same month last year and a 17.9% decline from September’s figures. The downturn was primarily attributed to a 19.8% month-on-month drop in table games revenue, which totaled KRW25.15 billion (US$17.61 million) and also fell 9.5% year-on-year.
Machine game revenue remained stable at KRW3.41 billion (US$2.39 million) from September levels but improved by 24.8% relative to October 2024.
For the first 10 months of 2025, GKL’s cumulative casino revenue rose 9.2% year-on-year to KRW347.28 billion (US$243 million), driven by solid gains in both table and machine games. Industry analysts consider GKL’s results a reflection of South Korea’s inbound tourism, particularly trends involving Japanese and Chinese visitors.
The October decline coincides with broader recovery efforts in South Korea’s tourism and hospitality sectors, which have benefited from enhanced flight connectivity and visa policy adjustments designed to attract more international travelers.
Jeju Dream Tower Sustains Growth and Strong Visitor Traffic
In contrast, Jeju Dream Tower, managed by Lotte Tour Development and positioned as South Korea’s largest integrated resort, posted a 108.4% year-on-year increase in casino revenue, reaching KRW50.44 billion (US$35.31 million) in October 2025, per GGRAsia.
Despite this doubling from the previous year, Jeju’s revenue was slightly lower than a record high set in September. Table games led revenue generation with KRW48.38 billion (US$33.87 million), up 109.1% year-on-year, while machine games revenue grew 94.6% year-on-year to KRW2.06 billion (US$1.44 million).
The strong visitor momentum for Jeju Dream Tower has been sustained, with monthly foot traffic consistently exceeding 50,000 since May. This steady visitor count underpins its performance and highlights its critical role within the nation’s gaming industry recovery.
