South Korea Cracks Down as Teen Gambling Cases Surge

Around 57.7% of cases turned out to be illegal gambling

South Korea’s latest data on teenage gambling points to a widening problem in both exposure and follow-through. 

Around 5,838 people aged 19 or younger received treatment or counselling last year, according to figures released by the National Gambling Control Commission per local reporting.

Illegal online gambling accounted for 57.7% of those cases, underscoring how quickly digital platforms have become the main entry point for minors.

Referral Gap

The numbers also suggest a weak hand-off from identification to support. 

In 2025, 24,474 teenagers were classed as high risk, but only 1,235 were referred to the Korea Problem Gambling Agency, which runs prevention, counselling and rehabilitation services. 

Rep Lim Oh-kyeong, who received the data, said in comments carried by JoongAng Ilbo: “We must comprehensively overhaul the performance management system of our prevention policies to ensure protection for teenagers.”

According to Focus Asia Pacific, the commission’s separate youth survey adds context to the scale of exposure. It covered 13,481 students at 633 schools and found that 4% had gambled at least once, while 19.4% of those with experience were still gambling six months later. 

Policy Response

South Korea has now moved to tighten prevention at school level. An amendment to the National Gambling Control Commission Act requires gambling-prevention education at least twice a year in elementary, middle and high schools. 

The Ministry of Education said in a policy notice: “school principals are now required to conduct gambling prevention education at least twice a year.” Officials say the aim is to intervene earlier, before experimentation becomes entrenched behaviour.