Grand Korea Leisure Reports Sales Growth: Table Games Drive October Performance

The South Korean casino sector maintains a steady course in late 2026. Grand Korea Leisure (GKL), the state-controlled operator that serves foreign guests exclusively, reported a slight upward trend in its October figures. Sales increased compared to the same month last year, highlighting a positive market sentiment. However, a deeper dive into the statistics reveals that this growth is not uniform across all gaming segments. Table games proved to be a reliable anchor for the company, which operates under the well-known Seven Luck brand.

Although the year-on-year balance is positive, GKL faced a significant month-on-month setback compared to September. This is largely due to the fact that September was an exceptionally successful month. Such fluctuations are common in the casino business, as gaming volume and hold rates can vary significantly. Nonetheless, management can look back on a successful 2026 so far, with accumulated earnings significantly exceeding the previous year's levels. The focus on foreign tourists remains the central business model, though it faces long-term challenges.

Numbers and facts

In detail, GKL's casino sales in October 2026 amounted to KRW 29.3 billion, equivalent to approximately $21.8 million. This represents a 2.5% increase compared to October of the previous year. Interestingly, compared to September, sales were 21.5% lower. The so-called drop – the amount of money players exchanged for chips – stood at KRW 336.4 billion ($250 million) in October. This marked a 1.8% year-on-year increase and a 3.9% rise from September. The fact that sales fell while the drop rose suggests that players simply had more luck in October than in the previous month.

A breakdown of the gaming categories shows a divided market. Table games generated KRW 26.1 billion ($19.4 million) in October, a 3.7% increase year-on-year. In contrast, gaming machines lost ground, with sales falling by 6.3% to KRW 3.20 billion ($2.4 million). Overall, sales for the first ten months of 2026 reached KRW 366.5 billion ($273 million), up 5.5% compared to the same period last year.

Background

Grand Korea Leisure operates in a unique environment, as locals are barred from entering most casinos in South Korea. This makes the company highly dependent on international visitor flows, particularly from Japan and China. Financial group KB Securities has issued a warning in this context. With the planned opening of the MGM Osaka mega-resort in Japan in 2030, competitive pressure is mounting. KB Securities is calling on GKL to invest heavily in its offerings to avoid losing Japanese customers to the new competition. The Japanese market is considered a core target group for South Korean operators.

"Table games generated KRW26.1 billion (US$19.4 million) in October sales, rising 3.7% compared with October last year. They accounted for most of GKL’s reported casino sales during the month." - Inside Asian Gaming report

The need for investment is underscored by the fact that October's 2.5% growth was slower than the 5.5% average for the first ten months. This could indicate that the market has reached a certain level of saturation or that customer acquisition efforts need to be intensified.

Why it matters for German players

For German tourists visiting South Korea, Seven Luck casinos offer a legal way to gamble, as they are specifically licensed for foreigners. In Germany itself, the situation remains strictly regulated by the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021). Those wishing to play from home must ensure the provider is on the whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). German licenses guarantee safety and player protection, such as the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros via the LUGAS system. Furthermore, virtual slots in Germany are limited to a maximum stake of 1 euro per spin, a regulation that does not exist in GKL's casinos. Anyone gambling abroad should always be aware that German protective mechanisms do not apply there.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

The development at GKL highlights a trend also observed by German online casinos: table games like roulette or blackjack are extremely popular with high rollers and loyal customers. While these games drive growth in South Korea, they are currently strictly separated or only permitted as live casino offerings in certain federal states in Germany. The GKL example illustrates that an attractive range of table games is essential to compete internationally. German providers must score with excellent service and strict adherence to player protection rules to keep customers within a regulated and safe environment, rather than losing them to unregulated black market operators from Curacao or Malta.