Two faces of casinos

The casino here is only for Koreans or foreigners. But even though people go there with the same hope of making a big hit, this exclusive approach is now making a big difference. Kangwon Land, the only local casino complex accessible to Koreans, has always been linked to negative images of corruption, bankruptcy, family breakdown and gambling addiction. And it has come under strict government regulations, public scrutiny and media criticism. However, foreign-only casinos attract completely different responses. They are considered tourist attractions and new sources of access. Kangwon Land saw its sales decline last year for the first time since its establishment in 2000. The casino was established to help miners who had difficulty importing due to the closure of the mine. Last year, sales fell 3.7% from the previous year to 1.26 trillion won due to a decrease in VIP customers. “For the first time last year, sales fell,” an official from Kangwon Land said. It is believed that the ...