John Lewis
Union urges police and government audits
A union representing workers at Jeju Dream Tower casino issued a statement on October 2nd urging authorities to conduct anti-money laundering (AML) inspections of Jeju’s foreigner-only casinos. The group called on the Jeju Provincial Police Agency to examine local operations to determine if they were being used to conceal criminal proceeds, launder money, or conduct illegal currency exchanges.
The union expressed specific concerns that the island’s casinos could be utilized to launder proceeds from telephone and online scams. In its statement, the group asked the Jeju provincial government to coordinate checks of operators’ AML and customer-management systems to ensure compliance with local regulations.
Worker safety and promotional chip allegations
The call for regulatory scrutiny coincided with a labor dispute at the facility. Casino workers began a strike on September 28th over work and rest arrangements, pay, and promotion policies. According to a report by Jeju Today, the union cited instances of verbal abuse and threats directed at frontline employees as part of the rationale for its demands.
The union argued that the growth of tourism and the casino industry on Jeju should be accompanied by stronger crime prevention measures and robust worker protection procedures. It called on operators to implement effective protocols to protect staff who face abuse, violence, or threats during their shifts.
Separate allegations regarding financial record-keeping emerged earlier in the year. Jeju MBC reported on June 25th that employees alleged promotional chips were sold to customers without the proceeds being recorded as casino revenue. Dream Tower denied these allegations of revenue understatement, stating that it strictly managed promotional chips in accordance with applicable rules.
Operator response and diplomatic outreach
Following the start of the walkout, Korean broadcaster BBS reported on September 29th that Lotte Tour Development, the entity associated with the casino, stated the facility had operated normally on the first day of the strike. The operator did not address the union’s new calls for police and government audits in that report.
In addition to domestic regulatory demands, the union requested cooperation and a formal meeting with the Chinese Consulate General in Jeju. The purpose of this outreach was to discuss crime prevention and ensure compliance with Korean law among visitors. The statement stressed that while compliance is necessary, tourists should not be treated as potential criminals based on their nationality.
The union’s position frames the labor dispute within the broader context of regulatory compliance and staff safety, linking the immediate grievances over pay and working conditions to the need for systemic oversight of the casino operations.
Why It Matters
This development signals a direct push for external regulatory oversight of Jeju's foreigner-only casino sector, potentially impacting how operators manage AML compliance and staff safety protocols. The union's request for police and government audits places the industry under heightened scrutiny following labor disputes and financial allegations. If implemented, coordinated checks on customer-management systems could alter operational procedures for casinos on the island, affecting both regulatory burden and public trust in the sector's integrity.
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