South Korea’s largest private casino operator Paradise Co Ltd is under investigation by the country’s tax authority, although the reasons behind the probe remain unclear.

Last Friday, Korean media reported that the Seoul office of the National Tax Service (NTS) had launched a ‘high-intensity tax audit’ of Paradise, which operates four foreigner-only casinos, including the Paradise City integrated resort outside of Incheon. The NTS is reportedly building on a previous audit from 2017.

The media report of the Paradise probe came just two days after a possibly related NTS announcement of 38 suspected tax-dodging entities. Paradise confirmed the existence of the probe to GGRAsia but claimed not to know “the exact purpose” of the investigation.

Like most Korean casino operators – except Kangwon Land, the only venue that permits local residents to gamble – Paradise has suffered as a result of COVID-19’s sharp reduction in international tourist arrivals.