Paradise Co Ltd re-opens Jeju casino despite COVID-19 limits

South Korean casino operator Paradise Co Ltd has reopened its gaming venue on Jeju Island despite keeping its other operations shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a filing with the South Korean stock exchange on Monday, Paradise announced that it was once again extending the closure of its casinos in Seoul, Busan and Incheon to conform with the government’s efforts to minimize further spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The casinos will now remain shut until at least April 20.

However, the company also announced that its Casino Jeju Grand had reopened on Monday at 6am. It’s unclear why the Jeju venue – which, like Paradise’s other gaming operations, are only accessible to foreign passport holders – was afforded this distinction, particularly given the current international travel restrictions to traditional holiday spots such as Jeju island.

Jeju’s local government recently sued two women who visited the island despite one of them showing signs of COVID-19 infection shortly after their arrival. Jeju Gov. Won Hee-ryong said the suit was filed “to send a strong warning against actions” that threaten further spread of COVID-19.