electronic table games finally allowed in casinos!

South Korea has just authorized ETGs (electronic table games) for the first time in the country’s history. Indeed, the use of fully automated electronic terminals has been approved in South Korean casinos by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST). This news was obviously very well received by local operators.

Fully automated ETGs legalized in South Korean casinos

The South Korean Ministry of Gaming has announced that fully automated fully automated electronic table games are now allowed in the country’s land-based casinos. According to the Ministry, “fully automated” means all stand-alone electronic table games controlled by a computer. ETGs are therefore the opposite of table games with a dealer, the latter being classified in another category of games.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also stated that the authorization for fully automated ETGs in casinos was issued to the relevant operators last February. However, the announcement was only recently made public, with the Ministry’s website waiting until April 25, 2023 before issuing a statement.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism serves as the regulatory authority for the casino industry in South Korea. The ministry, which operates as an agency of the central government, also manages the department of tourism, culture, art, religion and sports. Organizations such as the National Museum, the National Theater and the National Library are under the responsibility of the MCST, which is headquartered in the Sejong Government Complex.

Casino gaming operators were quick to share the news

Unsurprisingly, South Korean land-based casinos have wasted no time in integrating ETGs into their current gaming offerings. Recently, a spokesperson for the Jeju Dream Tower casino – a tourist and foreigner-only establishment located on the eponymous island – told our colleague GGRAsia that “the new casino will be the first to offer ETGs in the country”…. Following the Ministry’s decision, the casino has converted one of its rooms into an ETG machine room, which can accommodate 71 people “.

In addition, the Kangwon Land Resort, operated by Kangwon Land Inc. and home to the country’s only casino licensed to offer gambling to local residents, has announced that electronic table games will soon be offered to its customers.

Finally, Grand Korea Leisure Co Ltd, which manages and operates three casinos that cater to foreigners under the Seven Luck brand, said it will offer semi-automated ETGs before moving to full automation of its electronic gaming tables at a later date.