South Korea’s foreigner-only casinos are gaining renewed momentum in 2026, supported by a broader recovery in inbound tourism and expectations that Chinese group travel will increase in the second half of the year, according to an analysis cited by multiple outlets from Shinhan Securities. The brokerage says casino performance depends more directly on foreign arrivals and foreign spending than other tourism segments, which can track domestic consumption trends. As a result, the pace of growth in Chinese visitors is described as the key factor shaping expectations for the rest of the year.
South Korea limits casino access to foreign visitors; domestic gambling is restricted under Korean law, with Kangwon Land as an exception that allows Koreans. To encourage travel demand, Korea introduced a temporary visa-free program for Chinese group tourists in September, aimed at reviving inbound tourism and supporting regional economies.
Both reports characterize inbound indicators—such as arrivals, foreign spending, and foreigner-only casino earnings—as aligning with what the market has been anticipating, though they frame the biggest expected lift around the potential arrival surge from Chinese tour groups later in the year.
