S. Korea extends casino closure exclusively for foreigners
Two Korean foreign-only casino operators have extended their gaming shutdowns in line with efforts to curb the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to their respective filings with the Korea Exchange on Monday. The two operators’ various gaming venues have been suspended since March 24.
Paradise Inc., one of the operators, told the Korea Exchange on Monday (April 6) that it will extend the suspension of its four casino operations in Seoul, Incheon, Jeju and Busan until 6 a.m. on April 13. The Korea Exchange stressed that its hotel operations are still “operating.”
A spokesperson for Paradise told GGRAsia that the company’s casino suspension “depending on the situation” regarding the country’s COVID-19 disease could eventually be extended for another week from April 13.
Grand Korea Leisure Inc., another foreigner-only casino operator, said in a filing that it will suspend operations of its casinos until April 20 as an affiliate of the Korea Tourism Organization, the country’s official tourism agency.
Grand Korea Leisure operates three foreigner-only casinos in Korea under the ‘Seven Luck’ brand.
The company said in its latest filing that it expects casino loss revenue, as measured starting with the March 24 game shutdown, to reach 36.3 billion won ($29.4 million). It added that the estimate was based on the group’s daily casino revenue for 2019.
GKL also said it was considering implementing measures to minimize losses during the shutdown. It did not specify which measures it would introduce.
The foreign-only casino sector’s efforts are said to be consistent with the country’s efforts to push for “social distancing” measures to curb the novel coronavirus outbreak linked to COVID-19.
South Korea on Sunday confirmed 81 new cases of COVID-19 infections, according to data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Until then, the country’s total number of infections had risen to 10,237, including 741 people classified as imported.
Kangwon Land, the promoter of Kangwon Land, Korea’s only casino resort where domestic gambling is allowed, has closed its gaming facilities since Feb. 23. On Friday, it announced that it has extended the temporary closure of its gaming venues again. It has now said that it will reopen at 6 a.m. on Apr. 20.
BY: 메이저 토토사이트