Betting in Seoul
Seoul is the capital city of Southern Korea. The word for capital city in the Korean language is “Seoul”. It is thought that the city was founded in 18BCE on the northern banks of the Han River. However, the city only began to grow into a large metropolis at the end of the Korean War in 1953. Today, Seoul’s population is approximately 1.01 million citizens.
The world’s biggest undercover theme park known as Lotte World is located in Seoul. Visitors flock to the theme park as it boasts the Moonlight Rainbow fountain which holds the record for being the longest bridge fountain on the planet. Lotte World is also home to the world’s biggest cinema screen, Times Square’s CGV Starium. The city has panoramic views of beautiful mountain ranges including one of the highest landmarks in Seoul, Mount Bukhan. The Bukhansan National Park is very popular with hikers who contribute to Seoul’s international visitors statistics of some 10 million in 2012, alone.
All forms of gambling in Southern Korea are illegal, unless they are explicitly permitted by certain legislations. The authorities are of the opinion that all gambling activities should be strictly aimed at foreigners with passports as a means of gaining revenue. Local citizens are prohibited from partaking in any form of gambling. The country’s first and only legally authorised gambling venue was on the banks of the Han River, next to the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Resort which opened in 1963.
In 2013, the Sheraton Grande Hotel turned 50 years old - however, the casino facility on site was sold off to the Paradise Group, who redecorated the venue and renamed it Paradise Walkerhill Casino. These days, the property is open for business round the clock and offers 160 games machines and 79 gaming tables such as Tai Sai, Baccaratte, American Roulette and Blackjack. Also included is a Keno Lounge, multiple restaurants and bars, health club, jogging course, tennis courts and a golf driving range.
Grand Korea Leisure are under the jurisdiction of the Korea Tourism Organization and have run the “Severn Luck Casino” since 2004. A couple of years later, GKL went on to open two more gambling venues in Seoul after the government issued permits exclusively for casinos aimed at foreigners.
The Seven Luck Casino Seoul Gangnam was the first of the newer venues to be opened by Grand Korea Leisure. The casino is housed within the Convention Annex Building in Gangnam-gu. In 2009, the casino floor space was increased to 65,000 square feet, which now accommodates 119 games machines and 71 gaming tables such as Tai Sai, Baccarat, Caribbean Stud Poker and Roulette. The establishment also includes a luxury cocktail bar and a restaurant offering many different cuisines for example Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Grand Korea Leisure’s second more recent venture is called the Seven Luck Casino which is hosted within the Millennium Hilton. Refurbished in 2010, the casino now offers over 29,000-square-feet of gaming space for its 142 gaming machines and 55 games tables. There are eight restaurants on site, plus 679 hotel rooms, some of which have marble bathrooms and access to high-speed Internet. Other facilities include a health club, swimming pool, spa and a golf driving range.
In 1983, the Korean Racing Authority (KRA) was appointed to build an Equestrian Park in preparation for the Summer Olympics in 1988. The Olympic equestrian competitions were a success and the facility was transformed into the Seoul Racecourse Park. Today, the thoroughbred flat racing horse track welcomes thousands of spectators. The venue is situated to the south of the city.
The Seoul Racecourse Park offers its own racebook which is managed by the Korean Racing Authority. The racebook has six types of betting opportunities, win, place, quinella, exacta, quinella place and trio. There are on and off course betting terminals which sell tickets and are operated by the Pari-Mutuel Betting Control Centre who are located on the premises. There are two oval sand racetracks and two grandstands where racing enthusiasts can enjoy race day events.
