South Korea Faces Rising Challenges with Adolescent Gambling Issues
Growing Concerns Over Youth Gambling in South Korea
South Korea is currently grappling with a significant rise in gambling addiction among its young population. Recent reports reveal a sharp increase in the number of adolescents affected, resulting in substantial financial burdens related to medical treatment.
Alarming Statistics Highlight Youth Gambling Problem
Data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service indicates that cases of gambling addiction in adolescents have surged from just 64 in 2022 to 210 in 2024. Both illegal online gambling and betting activities have notably escalated during this period.
Alongside addiction rates, there has been a disturbing rise in gambling-related crimes committed by minors. Official figures from the National Police Agency show criminal cases involving young individuals soaring from 76 in 2022 to 631 in 2024, with some offenders as young as 10 to 13 years old being apprehended.
The financial impact is also significant, with medical expenses linked to youth gambling quadrupling from KRW 110 million in 2022 to KRW 430 million in 2024. Additionally, the demand for counseling services has similarly increased, with cases related to youth gambling counseling rising from 1,460 to 4,144.
Need for Enhanced Specialized Treatment and Support
Democratic Representative Seo Young-seok has expressed strong criticism of the Ministry of Health, pointing out that their Integrated Support Center for Addiction Management remains predominantly focused on alcohol abuse, neglecting the growing youth gambling crisis.
Seo stresses that adolescent gambling addiction is a profound issue affecting both individuals and the broader society. He warns that simply targeting illegal gambling operations will not suffice to curb the problem. Instead, there is a critical need to expand treatment facilities, increase counseling staff, and introduce comprehensive gambling harm education programs throughout schools nationwide.
Major Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Rings
These alarming developments come shortly after South Korean authorities dismantled an extensive $31 million illegal gambling operation based in Cambodia, resulting in the arrest of 10 suspects linked to the case.
Meanwhile, the influx of foreign tourists has contributed to growth in South Korea‘s domestic casino sector, further complicating the landscape of gambling in the country.
