South Korea’s three main casino operators had a mixed start to 2016, with one operator faring significantly better than the others.

Kangwon Land, the only one of the country’s 17 small-scale casinos that admits local residents, reported modest revenue gains in the three months ending March 31 but a tight grip on costs and a strong slots performance produced a more pronounced rise in Q1 profits.

Kangwon Land revenue rose 2.6% year-on-year to KRW 436.5b (US $373.2m) while earnings rose 5% to KRW 177.9b and net income jumped 7.9% to KRW 142.8b ($122m).

Daiwa Securities analysts said Kangwon Land’s management expected growth to pick up speed into H2 2016 thanks to more efficient allocation of gaming tables, an improving VIP market and an increase in the number of mass market visitors.