Content Writer: Janice Chew • Monday, 26/01/2026 - 22:33:32 - PM
South Korea’s Grand Korea Leisure Co Ltd (GKL), a state-affiliated operator of foreigner-only casinos, posted KRW 36.30 billion (about US$25.1 million) in casino sales for December 2025, a 6.4 % decrease compared with the same month a year earlier, according to the company’s filing to the Korea Exchange. The result also marked a 13 % sequential drop from November, reflecting softer year-end demand in some segments of the gaming business. Table-game revenue, which accounts for the majority of sales at GKL’s three Seven Luck casinos, fell 7.4 % annual, while **machine-game sales rose **5.6 % year-on-year yet slipped month-on-month compared with November.
Despite the drop in top-line sales, GKL’s portfolio—comprising Seven Luck casinos in Seoul (including Gangnam) and Busan—reported that the aggregate casino drop (the total amount wagered by patrons) increased 19.8 % from a year earlier and rose 1 % sequentially, indicating continued wagering activity even as revenue softened. For the full year 2025, the operator’s aggregate casino sales exceeded KRW 425.3 billion, up about 8 % year-on-year, pointing to resilience over the broader annual cycle.
The softer December performance at GKL contrasts with other foreigner-only casino operators in South Korea, such as Paradise Co Ltd, which reported year-on-year growth in their December results, though both firms face ongoing seasonal and macroeconomic fluctuations that affect visitation and spending patterns. Analysts note that foreign visitor flows—especially from nearby markets—remain a key driver of GKL’s business, aligning with South Korea’s broader tourism goals.
South Korea’s regulatory environment restricts local citizens from gambling at GKL’s properties, meaning the operator’s performance is closely linked to international tourism and cross-border travel trends. Broader industry data show that while some months in 2025 saw strong performance for GKL and peers, monthly volatility in gaming revenue has been common, with table-game revenue often the largest contributor even amid machine gaming growth.