Kangwon Land Triples Betting Limits to Attract High Rollers

Kangwon Land betting limits raised to attract VIP players and boost revenue, as South Korea’s only local-access casino targets high-stakes growth.

Kangwon Land, the only casino in South Korea where locals can legally gamble, has been granted government approval to raise its betting limits. The move is part of a broader effort to attract high-stakes players and strengthen its premium gaming segment.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism approved an increase in the betting cap for two blackjack and two Texas Hold’em poker tables, lifting the maximum from KRW100,000 to KRW300,000 — or roughly ₱4,200 to ₱12,600. The new blackjack limits took effect on May 21, with poker table changes set to roll out in early June.

Just days earlier, the casino also received clearance to adjust limits on two of its VIP baccarat tables. The minimum bet jumped tenfold, from KRW50,000 (₱2,100) to KRW500,000 (₱21,000). Even more striking, the maximum spread between “banker” and “player” bets surged from KRW2 million (₱84,000) to KRW30 million (₱1.26 million).

These changes support Kangwon Land’s plan to reposition itself as a destination for high-rolling guests. In line with this, the property earlier this year opened a foreigner-only gaming zone and unveiled a US$1.9 billion (₱108.3 billion) expansion, which includes a new luxury hotel, wellness center, and premium pool villas.

Despite a slight 0.2% dip in total gaming sales for Q1 2025, which came in at KRW316.8 billion (₱13.3 billion), Kangwon Land saw growth in its VIP segment during the same period. Revenue from its “membership club” category rose by 4.2% year-on-year, reaching KRW48.7 billion (₱2.05 billion). This signals strong demand from premium players even as broader revenues stabilize.

As competition in Asia's gaming market heats up, Kangwon Land’s updated limits and VIP-focused expansion suggest a sharper focus on maintaining its edge with domestic and international high rollers.

Read related article: South Korea Kangwon Land to Invest $128M in Expansion