South Korean casinos see hopeful signs of rebound as MERS fears ease

South Korea’s casino industry may be breathing easier as their business appears to be rebounding following an infectious disease outbreak earlier this year.

All but one of South Korea’s 17 casinos caters exclusively to international tourists, visits by whom plunged 41% in June following a deadly outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Paradise Co Ltd, the country’s leading foreigners-only casino operator, reported a 47% year-on-year decline in profit during the second quarter of 2015.

But Union Gaming Research issued a note on Friday stating that Paradise’s August revenue hit just under KRW 49b (US $41m). While this represents a 6.2% year-on-year decline, it’s 44.5% better than July’s total and Paradise likely isn’t complaining. Union Gaming suggested that August’s numbers “seemed to revert back to their pre-MERS levels.”

Paradise’s table game revenue in August fell 7.6% to KRW 45.7b while electronic gaming machines improved 18.2% to KRW 3.3b. For the year to date, total revenue is down 14% to KRW 380.7b.