South Korean casinos call for regulatory reforms ahead of MGM Osaka opening
Industry leaders warn that Japan’s first integrated resort could divert tourists and gaming revenue from South Korea.
South Korea.- South Korea’s casino and tourism sectors are urging policymakers to ease regulatory and administrative burdens as the country prepares for increased competition from Japan’s upcoming MGM Osaka integrated resort, scheduled to open in 2030.
According to a roundtable discussion organised by The Korea Times, industry executives, academics and tourism experts warned that South Korea’s integrated resorts must reinvent themselves and improve their competitiveness to withstand the impact of Japan’s multi-billion-dollar gaming and entertainment complex.
The Osaka development, led by a consortium including MGM Resorts International and Orix, is expected to require approximately JPY 1.51tn (US$9.5bn) in investment and aims to attract around 20 million visitors annually, including six million international tourists. Participants at the discussion described the project as a major regional challenge for Korean operators.
Kang Sung-sook, a professor at Tezukayama University in Japan, stressed that the Osaka development is designed to be much more than a simple gaming venue. “The Osaka integrated resort is not merely a facility to attract tourists,” said Kang, who joined the meeting online. “It aims to become an innovation hub for international conferences, exhibitions and corporate activities.”
Representatives from South Korea’s leading casino operators said the industry faces a growing risk of losing visitors to Japan once the resort opens. Kim Eom-kwon, a team leader at Grand Korea Leisure (GKL), said operators are eager to upgrade facilities and enhance customer experiences but are often constrained by complex regulatory requirements and lengthy approval processes.
Similar concerns were raised by executives from Kangwon Land, the country’s only casino open to local residents. The company argued that public-sector investment procedures can significantly delay modernisation projects, reducing the industry’s ability to respond quickly to regional competition.
Beyond regulatory reform, industry stakeholders highlighted the need to reshape public perceptions of integrated resorts. Participants noted that casinos in South Korea continue to be viewed primarily through the lens of gambling, despite their growing role as tourism, entertainment and convention destinations. They argued that greater emphasis should be placed on demonstrating the economic and social contributions generated by the sector.
