South Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which sits under the Financial Services Commission, has been studying the anti-money-laundering regime for casino operators since February 2026, according to a statement from civic groups in the country's former coal mining areas1. The groups said the government now aims to give notice of legislation within June and to implement an amendment to the Specified Financial Information Act within the year1.
The joint committee for the revival of Gohan, Sabuk, Nammyeon and Sindong, along with other groups, issued the statement on July 2, 2026, describing the plan as one that treats every Kangwon Land customer as a potential criminal1. They said the amendment would require records of the transaction and identity information of every customer entering a casino, treat all customers as repeat transactors, and record each customer's game date, game type, chip purchases and cash exchanges so that individual transactions can be tracked and reconstructed1.
"지난 2월부터 금융위원회 산하 금융정보분석원에서 카지노 사업자 자금세탁방지 제도를 꾸준히 연구했고, 급기야 6월 내 입법예고와 연내 실시를 목표로 특정금융정보법을 개정하겠다고 나섰다"
The groups said Kangwon Land already checks identity on large currency exchanges for anti-money-laundering purposes1. They estimated that if the law is amended, Kangwon Land revenue would fall 25 percent and the abandoned mine fund would drop from around 180 billion won to around 130 billion won1. They also said stock dividends would fall by close to 50 percent, and that if the law passes the casino "would have to close its doors"1.
| Item | Current | If amended |
|---|---|---|
| Kangwon Land revenue | Not stated | Down 25 percent1 |
| Abandoned mine fund | Around 180 billion won | Around 130 billion won1 |
| Stock dividends | Not stated | Down close to 50 percent1 |
The groups said they would respond with "all-out struggle" and threatened casino closures and protests in Seoul if the amendment is not withdrawn1. No draft text of the amendment, and no confirmation of the June legislative notice from the FIU or the Financial Services Commission, has been reported1.
What it means for players
Kangwon Land is South Korea's casino open to its own nationals; the country's other casinos are restricted to foreign visitors. Under the plan described by the civic groups, every customer entering a casino would have identity and transaction details recorded, including game dates, game types, chip purchases and cash exchanges, and would be treated as a repeat transactor1. The groups say identity checks on large currency exchanges already take place at Kangwon Land1. The scope of the reported plan as described covers casino operators generally, not only Kangwon Land, but the sources do not state which venues or customer categories would be covered, or when any new requirements would take effect. For background on South Korea's gambling rules and who licenses and supervises gambling in Asia, see the linked guides.
What happens next
The groups say the government aims to give notice of the amendment within June and to implement it within the year1. They have said they will campaign against it, including protests in Seoul, if it is not withdrawn1. No date has been reported for a vote, and no government response to the July 2 statement has been reported1. For wider context, see gambling laws in Asia.
Sources1 sources
- 특금법 개정에 폐광지 반발…"강원랜드 모든 고객 범죄자 취급" | 연합뉴스, yna.co.kr
