Kangwon Land: South Korea's Only Local-Access Casino Targets Foreign High Rollers

Kangwon Land Casino, nestled in the remote mountains of Gangwon Province, occupies a unique position in the South Korean gambling landscape. It is the only one of the country's 18 casinos where domestic citizens are legally allowed to gamble. In a nation where gambling is otherwise strictly prohibited for locals, this venue has long been a domestic powerhouse. However, a significant strategic pivot is underway. Resort officials, operating the High1 complex, have identified international tourism as their primary frontier for future growth.

Recent data from the National Gambling Control Commission highlights a robust recovery across the sector. While South Korea’s 17 foreigner-only casinos welcomed nearly 3.5 million visitors in 2025—a year-on-year increase of almost 19%—Kangwon Land saw a more modest rise of 4.5%. The pressure to compete with global-facing rivals and capture a share of South Korea's record-breaking tourism boom has led to an unprecedented overhaul of the resort’s business model. Moon Chang-hoon, Head of Kangwon Land’s Global Marketing Team, stated that the company is actively enhancing its environment to evolve into a globally competitive integrated resort.

Numbers and facts

Last year, Kangwon Land recorded a total of 2.45 million visitors. The critical challenge, however, is that a mere 1% of these guests hailed from overseas. To bridge this gap, management has implemented immediate logistical improvements. A new dedicated lounge for international visitors has been opened, supported by a direct bus link connecting the resort to Incheon International Airport and the Seoul metropolitan area. This infrastructure is designed to lower the barrier for foreign travelers who might otherwise find the mountainous eastern province difficult to access.

Moving forward, the centerpiece of this strategy is a $2.3 billion expansion project first unveiled last year. The multi-stage development aims to transform the complex by 2035 into a destination capable of hosting over 13 million annual visitors. Former acting CEO Choi Cheol-kyoo previously described the vision as a “K-HIT” venue—a Korean-style High1 integrated tourism resort. Projections suggest that once completed, the revamped facility could generate annual revenues of $2.6 billion.

“We are enhancing the environment at Kangwon Land with the aim of evolving into a globally competitive integrated resort. We’re creating a foreigners-only casino zone, adjusting our betting limits, and introducing more services tailored to international guests.” - Moon Chang-hoon, Head of Global Marketing Team at Kangwon Land

Background

The focus is shifting away from a gambling-only identity. Kim Young-suk, Head of the Media Relations Team, emphasized the transition toward a premier year-round integrated resort. New non-gaming facilities are a priority, most notably the “Grand Dome” project. This structure will feature a media tower, a musical fountain, and an indoor garden designed to stay vibrant through all seasons. Simultaneously, a second casino facility will be constructed to alleviate current space and seating shortages, particularly at crowded table games like baccarat and blackjack.

This expansion is happening as South Korean casino stocks soar. Companies like Lotte Tour Development, Paradise, and Grand Korea Leisure (GKL) have seen significant gains in the first half of 2026. Lotte Tour’s shares spiked by more than 50% since January, largely driven by the return of Chinese group travel. China remains the largest source market, accounting for approximately 28% of all foreign arrivals in South Korea.

“We are seeing an accelerated influx of family visitors and tourists seeking relaxation. We are moving beyond a traditional demographic of casino-only patrons and building a reputation as a premier year-round integrated resort.” - Kim Young-suk, Head of Media Relations at Kangwon Land

Why it matters for German players

For German tourists visiting South Korea, the opening of Kangwon Land to foreigners offers a unique travel experience, especially for those combining winter sports at High1 Resort with casino leisure. However, in Germany, the landscape is defined by the State Treaty on Gambling 2021. While Korean resorts offer high-limit VIP experiences, German online players are restricted to a €1 maximum bet per spin on slots and a cross-operator monthly deposit limit of €1,000.

German residents must ensure they only use platforms listed on the official GGL whitelist. These licensed sites are connected to the LUGAS and OASIS monitoring systems. Unlike the massive expansion seen in Asia, the German regulatory focus remains firmly on player protection and addiction prevention. Table games like roulette or blackjack are generally only available in state-licensed live formats depending on the specific state regulation.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

The billion-dollar investments in South Korea signal that the land-based sector is betting on the "Integrated Resort" model for long-term profitability. For German GGL-licensed online casinos, this represents indirect competition for the global entertainment budget. The success in Korea demonstrates that investor confidence in regulated markets is returning. German operators can distinguish themselves through reliability and compliance with strict GGL IT-security standards, providing a safe alternative to illegal offshore sites (like those from MGA or Curacao) that lack legal recourse for players.