Tim Alper is a journalist who covers betting news and regulation for CasinoBeats. He joined the CasinoBeats team in May 2025. He reports on breaking news and developments in the world of betting, casinos, and...
Read Full BioThe South Korean casino operator Paradise has sealed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement with the Korea Gambling Prevention Center.
The deal will see the parties cooperate on several gambling problem advisory projects and counseling initiatives, Newsis reported.
The parties sealed the deal in a conference room in Paradise City, the operator’s flagship casino-resort, on September 15. They said the partnership would allow them to join forces to “minimize the social and economic harm caused by gambling.”
Paradise and the center claimed they would use a combination of “public and private expertise and resources” to help individuals with problem gambling behavior.
Korean Casino Operator Paradise Vows to Help Koreans and Foreign Visitors
Paradise City’s casino is only allowed to grant admission to overseas passport holders. It caters almost exclusively to short-term international visitors.
The parties, who will jointly promote gambling addiction prevention campaigns, will also provide resources to both South Korean and foreign passport holders.
They pledged to embark on public awareness projects and launch new treatment and rehabilitation programs.
Paradise CEO Choi Jong-hwan told media representatives: “We are a company that values environmental, social, and governance-related matters. That is why we are taking the lead in responsible management and customer protection. We will continue our social contribution activities to support the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.”
Shin Mi-kyung, head of the center, explained: “Private companies and public institutions must work together. This will help us all proactively prevent gambling problems. We will expand our range of programs to support gambling addiction treatment and recovery.”
Government Scrutiny Drives Operators to Act
South Korean casino operators have found themselves under pressure from lawmakers and social groups, who claim they are doing little to stop the rise of betting addiction.
The central government last year ordered regulated gambling operators to “strengthen their accountability” in the face of rising gambling addiction rates.
Earlier this month, Kangwon Land, the operator of the High1 casino, launched the country’s first residential gambling addiction treatment center. The center is operating a month-long pilot. If this proves successful, Kangwon Land says it intends to open more residential gambling addiction treatment centers across the nation.
Paradise’s Paradise City casino-resort, near Incheon International Airport, has seen a steady rise in visitor numbers and net profits in recent years.
Experts say that a rise in Chinese tourism is helping boost revenues at many of South Korea’s foreigner-only casinos.
This, in turn, has led to a rise in share prices. The country’s casinos are in for another boost, with Seoul waiving visa fees for Chinese group tourists until the end of June next year.
However, there was a setback for Paradise last month, as the casino operator’s monthly earnings were eclipsed by those of its Jeju Island-based rival, Jeju Dream Tower.
