Bloomberry marks first casino opening in Korea’s Jeju Island

MANILA, Philippines - Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. of ports tycoon Enrique Razon is set to re-open this month a casino in Jeju Island in Korea, marking its first casino venture outside the Philippines.

Bloombery chairman and CEO Enrique Razon Jr. said the casino is expected to enrich players’ gaming experience.

“We are very excited to introduce Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino starting out with the re-opening of this world-class casino after only less than four months. This is our first operating overseas property, and we exerted much effort to put in place the ambiance and amenities that would enrich the gaming experience,” Razon said.

The opening of the hotel completes the first phase of a multi-stage refurbishment plan which commenced in May.

The casino was acquired from Korean firm Golden & Luxury Co., one of seven casino operators in Jeju Island.

Bloomberry owns a 96.23 percent interest in Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino.

Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino boasts of the latest state-of-the-art table games and electronic gaming equipment open to foreign guests only.

“With the ongoing renovation schedule, the second phase is expected to be completed by December 2015,” Bloomberry said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The newly branded casino will also offer entertainment and premium gaming facilities that include popular games like baccarat, roulette, Sic Bo, blackjack and South Korea’s premier selection of  latest electronic games and slot machines.

 The Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino, located only five minutes away from Jeju International Airport, will feature 208 well-appointed rooms and suites, 2,125 square meters of gaming space and dining options that will feature fresh local produce and international cuisine, a bar and lounge and other hotel facilities with world-class amenities.

Jeju Island is a cultural treasure, and is stamped by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

South Korea is fast becoming a popular gaming destination in Asia, with some analysts hailing it as the second major gaming destination in the region next to Macau, which is currently facing a slump due to a crackdown on corruption and a no-smoking policy in some casinos.

Korean gaming revenues reached $17.6 billion last year, up by one percent from 2013.