Casinos in South Korea Can Now Use ETGs

Fully automated electronic table games (ETGs) have been given approval for the first time ever, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of South Korea.

Authorization

The ministry has granted approval for any stand-alone electronic table game or stadium configuration for such games when the playing sequences are solely controlled by a machine. As “manned” (staffed) games, electronic table games that have a live dealer are referred to.

The government stated that although the completely automated ETGs received permission in February, the announcement was only made on the ministry’s website on April 25. The ministry also oversees the regulation of South Korea’s casino industry.

Casinos now provide ETGs as part of their offerings

On the tourist island of Jeju, the Jeju Dream Tower casino, which is open only to foreigners, said in a statement to GGRAsia that “following the ministry’s ruling, it had since April converted an ETG stadium with 71 seats, to a fully-automated setup.” Lotte Tour Development Co Ltd., which is traded on the Korea Exchange, also runs Jeju Dream Tower.

Other casinos in the nation, besides Jeju Dream Tower, incorporate ETGs as part of their offers. Here are a few of them as examples:

Grand Korea Leisure Co Ltd, which oversees three casinos for foreigners only under the Seven Luck brand, said it currently offers some semi-automated ETGs and has the option to switch to full automation if it so chooses. Kangwon Land Resort, which is run by Kangwon Land Inc. and is the only casino in the nation that permits locals to gamble, said GGRAsia that it operates the ETG stadium but has not yet exercised the option to switch to full automation.

The Shinhwa World Casino in Jeju, which is run by the Hong Kong-listed Shin Hwa World Ltd, formerly known as Landing International Ltd, has said to GGRAsia that it does not now offer fully automated ETGs, is one of the casinos that do not offer ETGs.

Background

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Art, Religion, and Sports is overseen by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST), a central government body in South Korea. There are more than 60 departments, two deputy ministers, three assistant ministers, and one commission. Lee O-young, a novelist, served as the first Minister of Culture.

The Ministry is in charge of departments like the National Museum, National Theater, and National Library. The Sejong Government Complex in Sejong City houses the headquarters. Additionally, the previous headquarters were located in Seoul’s Jongno District.