With arcades getting larger and more popular, this year's per-person card spending easily topped 20,000 won.
On the 25th, KB Kookmin Card said that an analysis of payment data from about 400 merchants nationwide in the culture and hobby category showed that per-person card spending at arcades this year (January–November) came to 24,105 won. That is up 22.5% from last year's 19,683 won. Compared with 2023 (18,103 won), it rose 33.2%.
This year, people in their 30s had the highest per-person card spending at 26,077 won. That is up 26.8% from last year's 20,562 won. They were followed by those in their 20s (24,316 won), 40s (22,316 won), 60s (18,336 won), and 50s (17,829 won).
By share of visitors, those in their 20s accounted for more than half at 52%, and those in their 30s came to 27%. More people in their 20s went to arcades, but people in their 30s spent more. The share for those in their 30s also grew from 21% in 2023.
These days, arcades operate as large game centers in areas with heavy foot traffic. With a variety of machines across multiple floors—such as crane games (claw machines) and rhythm games—the time people spend in arcades has also increased.
A KB Kookmin Card official analyzed, "As arcades have grown larger and leisure culture among people in their 30s with spending power has shifted from drinking-centered to sports and entertainment, card spending appears to have increased."