Korea Bizwire reported this week that the Bareunmirae Party wanted to see a casino that could be open to locals. “Building a casino will become a turning point for growth in North Jeolla province,” the political grouping was quoted as saying.
The area earmarked for such a scheme is reported to be a marine reclamation zone known as Saemangeum, at the mouth of a river estuary.
Reportedly the trigger for the Bareunmirae Party’s statement was an announcement that the country’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries was to designate the Saemangeum area as a special zone for marine leisure and tourism.
Currently South Korea has 17 casinos, but only one – run by Kangwon Land Inc – is permitted to offer casino services to locals. Its venue, Kangwon Land, is located in a remote upland area of Kangwon province.
The idea of some casino development in North Jeolla – a largely agricultural province in the southwest of the country – emerged in early 2015. At that time the discussion was for a foreigner-only venue.
Then in August 2016 it was reported that gaming proponents wanted a casino in the province where locals would be permitted to bet. They presented to the national authorities a revising bill to that effect.
Days after that news, Kangwon Land issued a statement saying it would oppose such a move.
The idea of casino development in North Jeolla was reportedly suspended in 2016 when the National Assembly adjudged that public opinion was against such an initiative.
Source: GMB / GGR Asia
