Foreigner-only casino operator Grand Korea Leisure (GKL) has reported casino revenue of KRW34.8 billion (US$25.5 million) for the month of June, representing a 13.6 percent increase over May. However, the result marks a 6.0 percent year-on-year decline compared with June 2024.
The monthly gain aligns with a broader trend across South Korea’s foreigner-only casino sector, where operators like Paradise Co and Lotte Tour have been experiencing consistent month-on-month growth since the start of 2025. Notably, Lotte Tour’s Jeju Dream Tower recorded all-time highs in table drop and visitor numbers for the same month.
Table games lead the gain
GKL, which runs three casinos in Seoul and Busan under the Seven Luck brand, attributed much of June’s gains to improved table game performance. According to the company’s latest filing with the Korea Exchange, table revenue rose 16.6 percent month-on-month to KRW31.6 billion. Meanwhile, slot machine revenues marked a 9.0 percent drop, which came in at KRW3.20 billion. This was despite GKL witnessing an 8.1 percent decline year-on-year in drop amount to KRW300.9 billion, indicating fewer chips bought or exchanged at tables. Drop amount was up 1.5 percent on the previous month, suggesting improving sequential customer engagement. For the first half of 2025, GKL’s cumulative casino revenue stands at KRW209.9 billion, up 9.0 percent year-on-year.
For May, GKL has reported an increase in casino sales. According to its filing with the Korea Exchange, the operator posted KRW30.64 billion in casino sales for the month, down 15.3 percent from KRW29.47 billion in May 2024. The figure is up 4 percent year-on-year. For the month, slot machines and electronic gaming devices brought in nearly KRW3.53 billion, a 24.1 percent increase from the same period last year. On a sequential basis, machine games also performed well, logging a 6.3 percent rise compared to April. Despite being the company’s main revenue source, revenue from table games showed a minimal rise of 1.9 percent year-on-year to reach KRW27.11 billion.
AI-powered self-driving robots
In April, GKL announced a new partnership with robotics company Robotis to introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-powered self-driving robots at its casino properties. The agreement marked a major step in GKL’s move toward becoming a “smart casino” operator. The new technology is aimed at enhancing customer experience and streamlining casino operations. As per the agreement, the two businesses will use autonomous robots to develop a business model and service system. Participating in the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy’s extensive convergence robot demonstration project, autonomous robots will deliver game chips and cards to three Seven Luck stores.
