Seoul
South Korean police have revealed that over 4,700 minors were discovered participating in illegal online gambling activities over the past year. The National Police Agency reported on Sunday that 4,715 individuals under the age of 19 were identified during a special crackdown conducted between September 2023 and October 2024. These cases account for nearly 47% of all those involved in the crackdown.
The surge in underage gambling is alarming, with the number of minors involved rising by an extraordinary 2,784% compared to the previous year, when only 162 cases were reported. Seventeen-year-olds were the largest group, with 1,763 individuals identified, followed by 1,241 sixteen-year-olds and 560 fifteen-year-olds.
Online casino games emerged as the most popular form of gambling among these teens, comprising 82.6% of all cases. The total amount wagered by minors reached 3.7 billion won (approximately $2.64 million), with each individual averaging a bet of 780,000 won.
In response, 1,733 minors were referred to professional counselling services. Despite the findings, no arrests of minors have been made. The police announced that the crackdown would continue for another year, as the issue of juvenile gambling remains a significant concern.
