Increasing adolescent gambling issues in South Korea demand official intervention
In South Korea, the growing issue of gambling addiction among teenagers and young adults has prompted the government to take action, despite challenges in treatment availability and the evolving landscape of online gambling.
According to the South Korean national health insurance service, 2,329 people sought treatment for gambling addiction in 2022, with 82 of them being teenagers. This represents an increase of 91.2% from the previous years. In the first eight months of 2023 alone, 110 teenagers sought help for their gambling addiction.
Currently, the National Center for Youth Internet Addiction Treatment is the only facility in South Korea where teenagers with gambling addiction can be treated. The special program at this centre lasts for 11 or 12 days, during which teenagers hand over their electronic devices and participate in musical and sporting activities, as well as education about gambling. However, it's important to note that this centre is a camp, not a medical facility, and does not provide medical care.
To combat this issue, the South Korean government has established a cross-ministerial task force involving nine government agencies, including the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Justice. This task force aims to tackle youth gambling through the proposed "Special Act on the Eradication of Online Illegal Gambling". Although the legislation was nearly finalized, political turmoil delayed its enactment. However, policymakers and legal experts are discussing measures to revive this special legislation in 2025.
Strict enforcement and criminal penalties are also being implemented. Under the current National Sports Promotion Act, illegal sports gambling—including sites mimicking legal games—is prohibited for minors. Violations can result in imprisonment (up to five years) or large fines (up to 50 million won).
In addition, authorities are emphasizing the seriousness of illegal sports gambling among minors and calling for stronger social alertness and prevention campaigns. Collaborative research is ongoing to better understand illegal gambling trends and formulate evidence-based policies.
Despite these efforts, the scale of the problem is rapidly growing. Experts confirm that teenage gambling addiction is increasing, with an estimated 170,000 teenagers having gambled as of early 2024. South Korean experts are demanding urgent action from the government to provide comprehensive medical care and a support network for teenagers with gambling addiction.
It remains to be seen whether the South Korean government will present corresponding measures to address this growing problem. Patients can leave the program prematurely, and the rise of online gambling platforms poses new challenges not fully addressed by existing laws. The urgent need for comprehensive, multi-sector approaches integrating public health, education, law enforcement, and digital policy frameworks has become apparent.
- Online casinos in Germany, such as those offering casino games and lotteries, are growing in popularity as a form of personal growth and entertainment, but they must prioritize responsible gambling to avoid becoming a trend among teenagers and young adults.
- The rising issue of gambling addiction among teenagers in South Korea necessitates an emphasis on education-and-self-development and personal-growth programs that catalyze positive behavioral changes and encourage healthy alternatives to casino-and-gambling activities.
- As gaming platforms become increasingly sophisticated, casino-personalities and gambling-trends continue to influence the actions of young individuals; it is essential that such cultural figures advocate for responsible gambling practices and dedicate time to sports and sports-betting, which offer wholesome entertainment options.
- Given the rapid increase in gambling-related issues among teenagers in South Korea, it is crucial for policymakers to explore digital policy frameworks that tighten the enforcement of existing laws and prevent access to illegal sports gambling websites.
- In an effort to combat gambling addiction among teenagers, South Korea's government, in collaboration with agencies like the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, and the sports industry, should develop holistic measures blending public health initiatives, education, law enforcement, and digital policies for a comprehensive, multi-sector approach to the issue.
