South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism amended Annex 10 of the Enforcement Rule of the Tourism Promotion Act on 21 March 2025, revising the operating standards for casino operators in closed mining areas1. The annex sets the rules under the proviso to Article 36 of the rule1.
The revised standards require a casino to run separate floors for members and for general customers, and ban the sale or provision of alcohol on the general floor1. Casinos may not operate between 6am and 10am each day1. Table game limits on the general floor are set per table at no more than 10만원 per person per round, but up to half of all general floor tables may be set at no more than 30만원 per person per round1. Machine game stakes are capped at 2천원 per round, except video poker machines, which are capped at 2천500원1. At least half of all machine game units must have a stake unit of 100원 or less1.
The annex also bars casinos from lending money to customers, requires closed circuit television at the hotel or casino interior and at main points such as entrances, and requires customer confidentiality, with data releasable only on request from a spouse or direct lineal relative, or from a public institution for a public interest purpose1. Accidents such as deaths or acts of violence must be reported immediately to the minister1. Operating and business methods for the members floor, and the number of days customers may enter, must be set in internal rules approved in advance by the minister, as must user statistics management and education and counseling for the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction1.
"카지노 영업소는 회원용 영업장과 일반 영업장으로 구분하여 운영하여야 하며, 일반 영업장에서는 주류를 판매하거나 제공하여서는 아니 된다."
| Item | Limit |
|---|---|
| Table games, general floor | 10만원 per person per round |
| Up to half of general floor tables | 30만원 per person per round |
| Machine games | 2천원 per round |
| Video poker machines | 2천500원 per round |
| Machine units with stake unit of 100원 or less | At least half of all units |
What it means for players
The rules apply to casinos in closed mining areas, not to all casinos in South Korea. For players at those venues, the changes fix the split between members and general floors, remove alcohol from the general floor, close the floor between 6am and 10am, and set the maximum stake per round on tables and machines. Casinos cannot lend players money, and player data is protected except where a spouse, a direct lineal relative or a public institution with a public interest purpose asks for it. The annex does not say how the rules are enforced or what penalties apply, and no enforcement or penalty details have been reported.
What happens next
The amended annex took effect with its publication on 21 March 20251. Internal rules on the members floor, entry days and gambling addiction prevention and counseling require prior approval from the minister, but no approval dates or further steps have been reported1.
For background on how gambling is regulated across the region, see Gambling Laws in Asia: What Is Legal in 12 Jurisdictions and Recent and Pending Gambling Law Changes in Asia. For the country in question, see Can I Gamble in South Korea?.
Sources1 sources
- flDownload.do, law.go.kr
