Half of Jeju islanders blame casinos for rising crime: survey

A foreigner-only casino at Jeju Dream Tower integrated resort / Courtesy of Jeju Dream Tower

About half of Jeju residents believe that the island's foreigner-only casinos contribute to increases in local crime and therefore more government regulation is necessary, a survey showed, Friday.

In the survey of 1,000 islanders aged over 19, conducted by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, 49.9 percent answered that casinos have contributed to an increase in the region's crime rate, while 14.2 percent disagreed.

The survey on the islanders’ perceptions of the casinos, conducted between October and November last year, was the first of its kind. It did not disclose in detail why the participants linked the casino operation with rising crime.

Gambling is considered unlawful in Korea, and the country allows only foreign nationals in most casinos. There are eight foreigner-only casinos on the southern resort island, all managed and supervised by the provincial government.

Some 52 percent said the gambling facilities have negative environmental effects by creating waste, noise pollution and traffic congestion. Only 13.7 percent disagreed.

Also, 55.1 percent thought the casinos pose harmful effects to teenagers and the educational environment, to which 13.7 percent disagreed.

Over half, or 51.4 percent, thought there should be stronger state regulation of casinos, while 27.3 percent said the industry needs more government support.

On the other hand, around four out of 10 surveyed islanders thought casinos contribute to bringing in more foreign travelers and increasing tourist expenditure, and 33.7 percent said the industry helps create jobs.

As to casino operators’ role in supporting local communities, 34.2 percent wanted the operators to create jobs for young people, and 32.8 percent hoped for financial support to boost local tourism.

The provincial government plans to conduct the survey every year to monitor the islanders’ changing perceptions of the gambling industry and use the findings to reflect policy changes.