South Korea’s government has unveiled a massive expansion of its Kangwon Land casino resort. The state-owned property will be remodeled to triple the area of its casino floor, allowing it to welcome more guests.

The Kangwon Land gaming area, which covers 167,000 square feet currently, will be expanded to cover approximately 533,000 square feet. In addition to that, the $1.85 billion expansion will see a new hotel and a new convention space constructed, allowing Kangwon Land to accommodate more visitors and host international gatherings.

The expansion will also include the creation of a new wellness center in the nearby forest, as well as the launch of new local attractions.

The expansion comes as more Asian countries rise to challenge South Korea’s casino industry. Kangwon Land and the country’s foreigner-only casinos enjoyed a period of calm during the temporary decline of Macau gaming and the crackdown on the special administrative region’s junket operators. However, Japan’s upcoming resort and Thailand’s desire to launch casino gaming are likely to cause fiercer competition.

South Korea Is Wary of Japan’s Upcoming Integrated Resort

Situated in its namesake Kangwon Province, Kangwon Land is the only casino in South Korea that accepts local players. The property boasts some 1,000 slots and 100 gaming tables, allowing hundreds of players to enjoy gambling at the same time. In addition, Kangwon Land has some 700 hotel rooms for guests. Despite that, finding a seat has been increasingly difficult the last few years.

While Kangwon Land, originally founded in 1998, is the only casino in South Korea that locals can visit, the launch of MGM Resorts’ resort in Osaka will likely upset the power balance. Considering Japan’s proximity to Korea, local customers might be tempted to visit the Osaka casino instead.

The expansion of Kangwon Land is, according to the government, a precautionary measure that seeks to ensure the property’s appeal to local consumers. Since MGM’s resort in Japan will not open earlier than 2029, the South Korean operator has ample time to reinforce its offering.

Still, the renovations envisioned by the government are also likely to take several years. Because of that, until the construction of the extra facilities starts, the government will open a temporary expanded casino.

 The $1.85 billion investment is notably the largest investment in the property since its opening.

In addition to casinos in other Asian countries, Kangwon Land will also have to compete with the Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort which recently onboarded new solutions that will allow it to understand guests at an individual level.

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Allwyn, the incoming licensee for the Fourth National Lottery Licence, has unveiled its comprehensive plan to assist National Lottery retailers ahead of the changeover scheduled for February 1, 2024. 

National Lottery Retailers to Transfer Agreements to Allwyn by December 2023

Under the existing arrangements, all Retailer Agreements are signed with Camelot. However, with Allwyn set to assume operating duties, retailers will need to transfer their agreements electronically to Allwyn by December 18, 2023. This process will enable them to continue offering National Lottery services without any interruption.

Allwyn will assist National Lottery retailers in electronically transferring their agreements through an online portal, while Camelot Retail Sales Executives will visit retailers to explain key changes and address queries before signing the new agreements.

The new Retailer Agreement will maintain commission levels for National Lottery Draw-Based Games, Scratchcards, and prize payments at the current rates. Payment terms for all games will also remain unchanged. Furthermore, bonds and Direct Debit mandates already established with Camelot will be automatically transferred to Allwyn.

Katharine Challinor, Allwyn’s Retail Director, expressed gratitude to National Lottery retailers for their continued support and acknowledged the significant role they play in raising £30 million ($38.7 million) every week for Good Causes across the UK.

Allwyn and Camelot Forge Detailed Timeline for National Lottery Transition

Allwyn and Camelot have created a detailed six-month timeline for a smooth transition. It includes ongoing site surveys by Momentum In-store until September’s end. There will also be pre-planned Lotto and EuroMillions event draws, and exciting National Lottery Christmas activities, including festive Scratchcards and special event draws, to sustain The National Lottery’s strong performance during the Third License period.

After the Agreement transfer deadline on December 18, retailers can anticipate receiving a ‘Welcome to Allwyn’ pack in the New Year. The pack will contain more information about the changes expected from February 1, 2024, including initial details about new and improved National Lottery games starting in March 2024. Retailers will also receive information about the required digital training ahead of the changeover.

With Allwyn poised to assume the National Lottery duties following the ten-year license awarded by the UK Gambling Commission in September 2022, the company has fully acquired the business of the current license holder, Camelot UK. Camelot has been the sole operator of the National Lottery since its inception in 1994, winning all three of the previous license contests. 

Additionally, in March, Allwyn successfully acquired the Camelot Lottery Solutions Group, solidifying its position as a leading brand in Europe and marking its entry into the US market. Allwyn has also set its sights on acquiring a majority stake in the Irish national lottery, aiming to solidify its presence across the British Isles.

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