North Korea offers a casino license to any foreign entrepreneur who wants to invest and complete the hotel interior.
Countries like North Korea always have people wondering about the types of entertainment it offers, especially when it comes to the gambling industry .
It is known to be a very strict region where many limitations are implemented to keep its people on the straight and narrow . This makes it surprising to find out that North Korea already has established casinos .
Now, North Korea is offering a casino license to those involved in the Ryugyong Hotel development.
The gambling industry in North Korea
There are a couple of operators and two main casinos in the country: the Yanggakdo Hotel Casino in the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang and the Imperial Hotel and Casino in the Rason Special Economic Zone.
Yanggakdo Casino is only open to foreigners , offering games like Baccarat and Blackjack . Imperial Casino is aimed at high rollers , specifically from Russia and China. This casino requires a €500 entry fee converted into gambling chips.
It should be noted that North Korean citizens are not allowed to gamble at these establishments. Instead, they are set up to attract foreigners . At the current time, gambling is illegal for North Korean citizens. In 2017, horse race betting was legalised at the Mirim Horse Riding Club in Pyongyang, but again, it is primarily focused on foreigners rather than locals.
New casino in Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang
North Korea is planning to open a new casino at the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang. In exchange for a casino license, the government is looking for foreign investors to complete the hotel’s interior.
The idea behind this project is to yet again boost tourism by offering more than a casino space. They are also looking into offering accommodation, restaurants, a swimming pool, and a billiards room .
The Ryugyong Hotel development has been delayed for a long time, which is why the project is being boosted through foreign outreach. At 330 meters, it is the tallest building in North Korea . Construction started in 1987 , but the external part was only completed in 2011 .
According to an inside source, the plan to install a casino at Ryugyong Hotel has been reviewed, and they plan to attract foreign investment . The foreign investor will have the authority to determine the location of the casino installed at the hotel and will also have the right to operate the casino should they choose to invest in the cost of the internal construction.
The Central Committee approved the project after reviewing the profitability of the Yanggakdo Hotel in the same region.
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