South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reclassified electronic table games into two separate categories under an amendment to the Enforcement Rule of the Tourism Promotion Act, Ordinance No. 502, which took effect on February 2, 20231. The change divides what was previously a single electronic table game category into dealer-operated electronic table games and automated electronic table games, with 18 business types listed under each1.
The reclassification appears in Appendix 8 of the enforcement rule, which governs casino business types. The amendment states that the existing category "2. Electronic Table Game" is split into "a. Dealer Operated Electronic Table Game" and "b. Automated Electronic Table Game," with 18 types of business operations under each1.
"별표 8 영업구분에서 "2. 전자테이블게임(Electronic Table Game)"을 "가.딜러운영전자테이블게임(Dealer Operated Electronic Table Game)"과 "나.무인전자테이블게임(Automated Electronic Table Game)"으로 분류하여 각각 18종의 영업종류를 운영한다."
The rule also states that the amendment to Appendix 8's casino business types takes effect six months after promulgation, while the rest of the rule takes effect on the date of promulgation1.
The same enforcement rule contains separate provisions on casino premises. Casino sales offices must be divided into member-only and general areas, though a separate foreigner-only area may be operated where needed to attract foreign visitors, including overseas emigrants under the Overseas Emigration Act1. General areas may not sell or provide alcohol1. The rule states that locals may not be admitted to foreigner-only areas1. Operating and business methods for foreigner-only areas must be set by internal rules and approved in advance by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism1. The same approval requirement applies to matters concerning user statistics management and education and counseling for the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction among casino users1.
The rule also covers casino equipment. A person seeking designation as a casino equipment inspection agency must meet the requirements in Appendix 7-21. The rule includes provisions on sealing to prevent alteration or modification of casino equipment1.
What it means for players
The split into dealer-operated and automated electronic table games changes how these games are classified under Korean casino licensing rules. Each category now has its own list of 18 permitted business types, meaning the two forms of electronic table game are treated as distinct products for regulatory purposes. The rule does not state how this affects game rules, minimum bets, or payouts, and no such details have been reported.
The provisions on casino premises restate existing distinctions. Foreigner-only areas remain closed to Korean nationals, and general areas remain alcohol-free. Visitors to foreigner-only casinos must be foreign nationals, including overseas emigrants. The approval requirements for internal rules on foreigner-only operations and on gambling addiction prevention and counseling remain in place.
What happens next
The amendment to Appendix 8's casino business types takes effect six months after promulgation, while the rest of Ordinance No. 502 took effect on February 2, 20231. No further steps have been reported.
For more on how gambling is regulated across the region, see Gambling Laws in Asia: What Is Legal in 12 Jurisdictions and Can I Gamble in South Korea?.
Sources1 sources
- 국가법령정보센터, law.go.kr
