South Korea recorded a rise in gambling-related cases among teenagers. Specifically, 5,838 people aged 19 or younger received gambling-related assistance during the period reported to lawmakers.
The figures, provided by the National Gambling Control Commission to Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Oh-kyeong, show that illegal online gambling accounted for 57.7% of the cases.
Online Gambling Drives Teen Cases
The high share of online gambling cases highlights the continued exposure of young people to gambling through internet-based platforms.
However, the number of teenagers receiving assistance represents only those who have already been identified and connected with support services. Separate data suggests that significantly more young people may face gambling-related risks.
In 2025, authorities identified 24,474 teenagers as being at high risk of gambling-related problems. Only 1,235 were referred to the Korea Problem Gambling Agency for prevention, counselling or rehabilitation.
The figures indicate a substantial gap between identifying young people at risk and connecting them with specialised support.
Lim said stronger prevention efforts are needed. In addition, young people need to access counselling and treatment before gambling-related problems become more serious.
Survey Finds Continued Gambling
The Korea Problem Gambling Agency’s 2025 youth gambling survey also found continued exposure among students.
The survey covered 13,481 students across 633 schools, from fourth-grade elementary students through high school. About 4% said they had gambled at least once.
Among students with gambling experience, 19.4% continued gambling during the six-month period covered by the survey. This is slightly above the 19.1% recorded in 2024.
The agency estimated that approximately 157,000 young people nationwide had gambling experience. This includes around 30,000 who continued gambling during the previous six months.
Schools Face New Prevention Requirement
South Korea has also introduced stronger prevention requirements across the education system.
An amendment to the National Gambling Control Commission Act requires elementary, middle and high schools to provide gambling prevention education at least twice a year.
The measure establishes regular prevention sessions across all school levels. Authorities implemented it as they respond to rising assistance cases and evidence of continued gambling among some students.
For regulators and education providers, the focus is increasingly shifting from identifying gambling problems after they emerge. Now, the emphasis is on improving early prevention, risk detection and access to counselling services for young people.
