One of Jeju’s provincial council members wants to further restrict the relocation and expansion of the island’s casinos. Here’s Joseph Kim to explain.

Landing International opened its own casino at Jeju (신화) Shinhwa World in February, 2018.

[slug] Casino in Jeju Shinhwa World
[slug] Expanded by 700% after acquisition

As Jeju’s regulations on licensing new casinos are so stringent, the developer bought the casino in the Hyatt Regency Jeju and relocated it to Jeju Shinhwa World. It was then expanded by 700%, sparking controversy on the island.

There is no legal ground to prohibit the expansion.

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Ordinance amendment would regulate changes to casino licenses

Councilor (이상봉) Lee Sang-bong from the Democratic Party is pushing forward with an ordinance amendment in order to regulate changes of casino licenses.


The amendment bill stipulates that a casino business can be relocated only when places of business are under heavy repairs, rebuilt or demolished.

Business operators are required to prove that there are no other options.

Relocation and expansion of a business after acquisition of a casino will need to obtain a new casino license, which requires screening of invested capital and an evaluation to determine if the business is harmful to local communities.


INTERVIEW
Lee Sang-bong / Provincial council member
Even if a casino is forced to relocate, it cannot take over and expand one of the island’s eight existing casinos by using legal loopholes like Jeju Shinhwa World.
<인터뷰:이상봉/제주도의회 의원>
"불가항력적인 상황이었을 때에는 영업 소재지 변경을 할 수 있는데 신화월드처럼 8개 카지노 중 하나를 인수해서 확장 이전하는 형태로 해서는 안된다는 것이죠."

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Expansion after casino acquisition restricted

Once the amendment is made, expansion after acquisition of a small casino will be tightly restricted.

The amendment could affect the casino planned to for the Dream Tower in (노형동) Nohyeong-dong.

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Amendment would affect Dream Tower casino

Last year, one of the developers of the Dream Tower took over the 1,200 square meter Paradise Casino in the Jungmun Lotte Hotel.

The developer ultimately plans to expand the casino and relocate it to the Dream Tower.

If the amendment bill goes into effect, the casino relocation can be restricted.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Kim Seung-cheol

The ordinance amendment is expected to be completed by the end of June this year after seeking public opinion.

Joseph Kim, KCTV