Kangwon Land Joined a Law-Enforcement Sweep With Illegal Gambling Crackdown

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Kangwon Land Inc. said staff joined a joint law-enforcement sweep targeting four suspected illegal gambling venues near its resort in Jeongseon County.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kangwon Land staff participate in law enforcement crackdown on illegal gambling near its resort
  • Authorities seize devices and arrest suspects, highlighting tighter regulation
  • The crackdown occurs alongside the company’s efforts to address falling profits

It underscored how South Korea’s only casino open to local residents is increasingly linking compliance enforcement with its broader social responsibility agenda. 

According to Sigma.world, the operation in Sabuk town involved 25 personnel from agencies including the National Gambling Control Commission, police and the Korea Racing Authority, and authorities seized 18 devices, including internet-connected PCs and tablets.

Enforcement Pressure near the Resort

Local media reported that the sites were allegedly converting points earned in illegal games into cash, with six people arrested, including a 67-year-old suspected proprietor. 

Kangwon Land interim chief executive Nam Han-gyu said the company’s cooperative framework with regulators was delivering results and that the operator would continue to monitor suspected unlawful gaming. 

“We will continue to fulfill our social responsibility as a public enterprise by consistently carrying out response activities to establish sound social order, such as monitoring illegal speculative activities and conducting onsite crackdowns through close information sharing,”  he said.

Profit Weakness Adds Context

The crackdown comes as Kangwon Land is also navigating weaker earnings. In its first quarter, the company reported net profit of KRW39.7 billion, down 46.8% from a year earlier, even as gaming revenue rose. 

This came even after Kangwon Land reported a strong Q4 in 2025. Q4 sales totaled KRW365.45 billion, a 6.0% increase year-on-year, bringing full-year 2025 revenue to about KRW1.48 trillion, up 3.5% from 2024.