# S.Korea establishes casino tourism expert association

A casino industry-linked organization called the Korea Gaming Tourism Experts Association was established in Korea.


According to the website of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, a public department that oversees the casino industry, its main goals are: to increase the competitiveness of the casino industry, to focus on the customer service of casino employees, and to promote the training and certification of casino professionals. The association is also considering opening a Korean language website.

"We want to work with all 17 casinos across the country, as well as the university's tourism professor, to systematize dealer training and promote service mindset," Ahn Ok-mo, the founding president of the association, said in response to phone inquiries from GGRAsia.

She added, "As Koreans still have negative perceptions of the casino industry, we want to try to change the game culture about "present and new casino resorts."

"We also want to support the current recruitment of the (Korea) casino industry, as well as to work with the Macau casino industry in the future," Ahn added.

The U.S.-based Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority said last month that it plans to open an off-game amenities at the Inspire Entertainment Resort in Incheon, near South Korea's capital, Seoul.

Korea's casino trade association has acquired about 70 members so far, Ahn told GGRAsia. The cohort includes scholars in tourism education and former and current figures in the casino industry, including individuals related to Kangwon Land Resort, which is run by Kangwon Land Inc. The place is the only real estate in the country that can offer gambling to locals. Also within the members are those related to Grand Korea Leisure Inc. and Paradise Inc., which are foreigner-only casino operators.

This association was established on May 30.

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