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South Korea’s Jeju Dream Tower, operated by Lotte Tour Development, reported another month of robust casino performance in May, marking its fifth consecutive month of year-on-year revenue growth in 2025. With gaming revenue jumping to KRW41.4 billion ($30.1 million), a 52.5% increase in May 2024, and 25.8% higher than April’s levels. The results solidify the integrated resort as a leading source of tourist and leisure economy for Jeju Island.
Table Games Fuel Record-Breaking Momentum
The casino’s expansion was driven predominantly by table games, which posted KRW39.4 billion ($28.6 million) in May—a 60.5% year-on-year increase. The segment currently represents 95% of the property’s combined gaming revenue. Meanwhile, slot machine revenue fell 23.5% to KRW1.96 billion ($1.4 million), a trend seen earlier this year. Industry experts credit the imbalance to changing patron tastes and the resort’s strategic emphasis on premium table game products.
Parent company Lotte Tour revealed that the total drop level—the amount wagered by players—stood at KRW194.2 billion ($141 million) in May, 77.8% higher than the year before and 2.8% up from April. The measure, traditionally considered one related to customer interaction, suggests increasing optimism among VIP players amid wider economic volatility.
Hotel Operations Gain Momentum
Though gaming led revenues, the property’s hotel business recorded modest increases. Hotel revenue climbed 2.3% year-over-year and 11.3% quarter-to-quarter to KRW7.92 billion ($5.8 million). The growth reflects Jeju Dream Tower’s initiatives to establish itself as a complete destination, capitalizing on amenities such as its two luxury spas, 14 dining outlets, and panoramic skydeck commanding views of Mount Halla and the Jeju coastline.
Sustained Growth Through 2025
Year-to-date numbers highlight the resort’s stable performance. Combined casino earnings between January and May 2025 amounted to KRW158.8 billion ($115 million), a 35.1% increase from last year. This increase is supported by a 37% rise in drop amounts, which stood at KRW802.7 billion ($584 million) during the five-month period. The figures indicate more visiting volume and more per-capita expenditures, especially among foreign visitors attracted by Jeju’s visa-free entry.
Infrastructure and Strategic Relocation
Jeju Dream Tower’s success comes after its relocation in June 2021 from the less voluminous Lotte Hotel Jeju to its new 38-story complex, the tallest building on the island. The improved casino covers an area of more than 5,000 square meters and has 141 gaming tables, 190 slots, and 71 electronic table games. The architecture of the property combines luxury amenities with leisure, such as a K-fashion shopping mall and outdoor infinity pool, creating a multifaceted destination appealing to diverse traveler demographics.
Challenges and Opportunities
Even with a strong overall performance, the decline in slot machine revenue is a sign of weakness. The 23.5% year-on-year decline in May comes after a 63% jump in machine gaming in February, indicating volatility in this area. Management might have to revisit machine placement, game variety, or strategies to stabilize this source of revenue.
On the other hand, the dominance of the table game segment is consistent with local trends that support live-dealer experience. Jeju Dream Tower’s focus on this segment, assisted by its large gaming floor and high-end service offerings, puts it in a good position against the competition in South Korea’s changing integrated resort environment.
Looking Ahead
With monthly revenue growth now entrenched in the first half of 2025, the industry is waiting to see if Jeju Dream Tower can continue on this path. The resort’s performance is significant to Lotte Tour, which has invested heavily in establishing the property as a flagship resort. As international travel to Jeju is expected to recover from the pandemic, the resort’s combination of gaming, hospitality, and retail may be a template for long-term development in the competitive Asian leisure market.
The next few months will also challenge the casino to see whether it can diversify its revenue stream beyond the table games while making the most of its hotel and ancillary facilities. Meanwhile, Jeju Dream Tower’s consistent expansion highlights its increasing significance in South Korea’s tourism landscape and the larger Asian gaming market.
Source: Inside Asian Gaming (IAG)
