In Korea, INSPIRE Entertainment Resort is preparing an international poker offensive in Incheon as South Korea considers increasing the maximum contribution paid by foreigner-only casinos to the Tourism Promotion and Development Fund from 10% to 15% of revenue.
The resort will open YY Poker Club on its second floor, featuring 70 tables and a dedicated livestreaming studio. The new entertainment area will also include Daia, an exclusive junket and premium-player room, and Ultra Lounge, a nightclub and bar. It will debut with WPT Seoul, organised by INSPIRE, the World Poker Tour and official licensee Khartes from 30 October to 9 November 2026.
The festival will offer 46 events over 11 days, with buy-ins ranging from KRW300,000 (US$203) to KRW8 million (US$5,415) Danny McDonagh will oversee the competition. The Championship Event, running from 5 to 9 November, will guarantee KRW1 billion, with its final table livestreamed globally. Adam Pliska leads WPT; Ko Gyu-bum is INSPIRE’s CEO, while Steven Wolstenholme oversees casino strategy.
Danny McDonagh
The fiscal threat comes from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, headed by Chae Hwi-young. The proposal would amend Article 30 of the Tourism Promotion Act, create a new maximum 15% bracket, introduce periodic licence renewals and require prior approval for changes involving major shareholders.
Chae Hwi-young
Currently, each property pays 1% on revenue up to KRW1 billion; KRW10 million plus 5% of revenue exceeding KRW1 billion up to KRW10 billion; and KRW460 million plus 10% above that threshold. The new brackets remain undefined, and the reform has not been approved. The levy applies to revenue even when an operator records losses, rather than to corporate profits.
Shinhan Investment & Securities projects profit reductions of 29% for Paradise, 21% for Lotte Tour Development and 37% for GKL. Jeju would require a separate reform. No estimate has been published for Bain Capital-controlled INSPIRE, which reported KRW267.23 billion in casino revenue and a KRW154.82 billion net loss in fiscal 2025.
