Content Writer: Janice Chew • Tuesday, 26/02/2026 - 10:32:23 - AM
South Korea’s casino industry is seeing a sharp uplift as a surge in Chinese tourists drives higher visitation and gaming volumes ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. Industry data and operator commentary indicate that inbound traffic from China has accelerated since late January, translating into stronger table drop and improved mass-market play at foreigner-only casinos across the country.
Casinos in Incheon and Jeju have been among the key beneficiaries, supported by increased flight capacity and relaxed travel sentiment. Operators report fuller hotel occupancy, higher footfall on casino floors and improved non-gaming spend, signalling a broader tourism rebound rather than a narrow gaming-only recovery.
The renewed momentum comes as Chinese outbound travel continues to normalize, with South Korea positioned as a short-haul, familiar destination ahead of the peak Lunar New Year period. Analysts note that while VIP volumes remain below pre-pandemic levels, mass and premium-mass segments are leading the recovery, providing more stable and sustainable revenue growth for casino operators.
Looking ahead, the performance over the Lunar New Year holiday will be a key indicator for the sector’s outlook in 2026. If Chinese visitation remains strong, Korea’s foreigner-only casinos could see further earnings upside in the first quarter, reinforcing expectations that tourism-led demand—rather than high-roller play—will underpin the next phase of growth for the country’s casino industry.