Incheon Welcomes First Foreigners-Only Casino in Nearly Two Decades

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea has broken a 19-year hiatus by granting a casino license to Inspire Integrated Resort Co., a subsidiary of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment. This license allows the operation of a foreigners-only casino at the Inspire Entertainment Resort in Incheon, near the Incheon International Airport.

The new casino, part of a $1.6 billion investment in the resort, signifies South Korea's strategic move to boost its tourism industry. The resort, opened just in November, is set to fully complete its construction by 2046. Apart from the casino, it features a variety of attractions including a 15,000-seat arena, a five-star hotel, an international conference hall, a large-scale indoor water park, a shopping mall, and various restaurants.

It is a major development for South Korea where currently 17 casinos are already in action, all catering exclusively to foreign visitors, with the exception of Kangwon Land. The Ministry officials are optimistic that the Inspire Integrated Resort Co.'s new venture will not only enhance the country's reputation for Korean-style integrated resorts but also provide a substantial boost to the tourism sector.

Inspire, a Korean entity wholly owned by the US-based Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, also aims to position the resort as a global entertainment hub, thereby attracting international visitors and contributing to the local economy.