South Korean foreigner-only casino operator Grand Korea Leisure (GKL) has extended the closure period of its three casinos in Seoul and Busan until 15 February.
The extension comes after the government confirmed Sunday that current COVID-19 restrictions aimed at curbing the latest outbreak of the virus would be retained for another two weeks. Those restrictions include maintaining a Level 2.5 alert – the second highest of South Korea’s five alert tiers – across Greater Seoul and Level 2 alert for the rest of the country.
South Korea recorded 305 new cases on Monday, its lowest number in two months.
Although the situation is gradually improving, the extended alerts mean there is no immediate reopening in sight for GKL with Gangnam COEX, Gangbuk Millenium Seoul Hilton and Seven Luck Casino in Busan Lotte will all remain closed until at least 9am on 15 February.
Both Seoul properties suspended operations on 24 November and the Busan casino on 1 December in response to rising COVID-19 numbers, which soared past 1,000 new infections per day in December.
GKL said Monday it currently anticipates a loss in casino sales of KRW32.6 billion (US$29.2 million) for the extended closure period based on average daily net sales from July to September 2020.
Fellow foreigner-only casino operator Paradise Co continues to operate its casinos in Seoul, Busan and Incheon, having briefly closed Paradise Walkerhill in Seoul in December.
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