Korean foreigner-only casino operator Grand Korea Leisure Co Ltd (GKL) said Thursday it is targeting casino revenue of KRW503.8 billion (US$334 million) by 2028 under its new Corporate Value Enhancement Plan.
The company also wants to achieve an A+ rating in the ESG evaluation by the Korea ESG Standards Board and to maintain a dividend payout ratio exceeding the target of 40% for government-funded institutions. GKL – which operates casinos at Seoul Dragon City and Gangnam COEX in Seoul plus Seven Luck Casino at Busan Lotte Hotel – on Thursday said it was paying out total dividends worth KRW25.6 billion (US$17 million) for FY25, representing a payout ratio of 54.4%.
In revealing details of its Corporate Value Enhancement Plan, GKL said it would look to grow by expanding the development of emerging markets such as Taiwan, Thailand and Mongolia, by enhancing digital marketing for mass market customers by strengthening the features of the “Seven Luck” app, and by supporting the cultural tourism service ecosystem through linkages with K-content.
GKL, which last year opted out of a proposal to acquire its own casino site in Seoul as a means of addressing excessive rent payments, is a partially government-owned, publicly traded company of which a majority 51% stake is held by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) – a state-owned entity under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The remaining 49% is held by public investors, including institutional and retail shareholders.
The company generated total revenues of KRW423 billion (US$280 million) in 2025.
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