Grand Korea Leisure (GKL), the state-backed operator of the foreigner-only Seven Luck casino brand, has officially kicked off 2026 with a robust financial performance.
The company reported approximately $25 million in gaming revenue for January, marking a 6.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This steady growth reflects a broader recovery in South Korea’s tourism sector, fueled by an influx of international travelers and business professionals visiting the key hubs of Seoul and Busan.
Segment Performance: Slots Lead Growth Surge
While the total “drop”, the volume of cash exchanged for gaming chips, experienced a month-on-month contraction of 7.4% to roughly $211 million, the operator’s actual revenue remained resilient due to favorable hold rates.
- Table Games: Remained the primary revenue engine, generating $22.8 million, a 5.3% year-over-year increase.
- Machine Gaming: Slot machine revenue saw a massive 19.9% spike to approximately $2.42 million.
- Operational Strategy: GKL is currently prioritizing the optimization of its game mix to cater to casual visitors while maintaining high-service standards for VIP guests.
Strategic Reversal: Focus on Capital Efficiency
In a significant move to streamline operations, Grand Korea Leisure recently announced it would abandon plans to purchase the site of its Seven Luck Casino in Seoul. The decision highlights a strategic shift by the board to focus on operational excellenceand capital allocation rather than real estate acquisition.
By maintaining its lease-based model across its three properties, GKL aims to remain agile in a competitive market that includes heavyweights like Paradise Co. and Lotte Tour.
Historically, GKL has demonstrated impressive scalability, growing its visitor base to over 789,000 players annually. While the Chinese market remains the primary source of traffic, the operator is increasingly diversifying its outreach to include other neighboring Asian nations to mitigate regional volatility.
