CreatripTeam

South Korea risks falling behind as Asian nations invest heavily in integrated resorts (IR) that combine casinos, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions), entertainment and shopping to boost tourism value. Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands generates about 1% of GDP by reinvesting casino profits into non-gaming attractions. Japan’s planned Osaka IR (opening 2030) and other regional projects threaten to draw Korean visitors away. Experts say Korea’s fragmented legal framework—treating casinos as mere gambling ('사행시설') and separating laws for tourism, culture and urban development—blocks development of ‘K-IR’ that fuses K-culture with MICE and entertainment. They recommend a dedicated IR special law to create unified regulation (an independent IR regulator), community returns, addiction and consumer protections, ESG standards, and incentives for non-gaming investments. Proponents point to local success at Paradise City (Incheon) as proof that fusion models can create jobs and extend tourist stays; a special law could help Korea build a Korean-style integrated tourism hub that leverages K-culture and regional assets.