Kangwon Land unveils design of second casino
South Korea’s only locals-permitted casino now expects to open the new venue in early 2028.
South Korea.- Kangwon Land Inc., the operator of South Korea’s only casino that permits local citizens, has pushed back the opening of a second casino from late 2027 to early 2028. The company also released the renderings of the under-construction building, showcasing its design.
The five-level structure, including two basement and three above-ground floors, will cover 18,430 square metres and house both gaming and non-gaming zones. It will add 50 tables and 250 gaming machines to the resort’s portfolio, bringing the total to 250 tables and 1,610 machines.
The expansion, backed by a KRW179.6bn (US$130m) investment approved in December 2024, will also have a shopping mall and expanded dining offerings.
Located in the Gangwon Province, around 150 km from Seoul, Kangwon Land has struggled with accessibility. The expansion into an integrated resort model is intended to boost its appeal and diversify revenue.
Currently, nearly 90 per cent of Kangwon Land’s income comes from gaming, but the company aims to reduce that to 70 per cent by strengthening its entertainment and hospitality offerings. The strategic shift is designed to better compete with foreign-only integrated resorts Inspire and Paradise City, which benefit from proximity to Incheon International Airport.
