South Korea’s first nationwide youth gambling voluntary reporting programme recorded 1,777 cases during a three-month period. This highlights the growing exposure of adolescents to online gambling and related financial and criminal risks.
The programme ran from May 18 to August 31. It was led by the National Police Agency (NPA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, National Gambling Control Commission, Financial Services Commission and Financial Supervisory Service.
Most Youths Reported Gambling Themselves
Of the 1,777 cases, 1,501 youths, or 84.5%, voluntarily reported their own gambling. Parents or guardians submitted the remaining 276 cases.
High school students accounted for 963 cases (54.2%), followed by 813 middle school students (45.8%) and one elementary school pupil.
The reported gamblers ranged from 12 to 18 years old, with an average age of 15.5. On average, participants had been gambling for around 10 months, with average reported stakes of approximately KRW3 million (US$2,030).
Casino-Style Games Dominate Reports
Casino-style games, including slots and baccarat, accounted for 95.9% of reported cases. This made them the most common form of online gambling identified by police.
Education and outreach by School Police Officers (SPOs) played a major role in encouraging young people to come forward. These efforts generated 1,183 reports, or 66.6% of the total.
Police also uncovered cases where gambling was linked to wider criminal or financial problems.
In Ulsan, a 17-year-old was found to have gambled approximately KRW200 million (US$135,000) over two years. Meanwhile, in Seoul, police also identified a group of 14 students allegedly involved in fraud and theft to obtain money for gambling.
Illegal Lending Adds Financial Risks
The investigation also uncovered cases involving illegal private lending.
One 17-year-old reportedly borrowed KRW350,000 at 100% interest. In addition, a 16-year-old borrowed KRW1.15 million through Telegram after paying 77% upfront interest.
When debts could not be repaid, lenders allegedly pressured families and friends or threatened to expose the youths’ gambling activities. Five affected youths were referred to financial counselling services.
Treatment Prioritised Over Punishment
Authorities said the programme focused on early treatment and preventing repeat gambling, rather than punishment.
Of the 1,504 youths who completed initial interviews, 1,430 (95.1%) were referred to specialist organisations. These included the Korea Center on Gambling Problems and youth counselling and welfare centres.
Among 222 participants who completed treatment programmes, 166 received leniency. These included cautions or summary judgments, depending on the seriousness of any offences and their risk of reoffending.
Early results were encouraging. Among 160 youths who completed rehabilitation, the average score on a gambling-problem screening scale fell from 4.81 before treatment to 2.22 afterward.
Police Identify Illegal Gambling Websites
The programme also helped authorities identify 464 illegal gambling websites. Police referred these to the Korea Communications Standards Commission for blocking or removal.
The NPA will conduct further research through October to assess the programme. It will collect feedback from youths, parents, police officers and counsellors before deciding whether and how the nationwide voluntary reporting programme should be repeated.
The results reinforce concerns over early exposure to online gambling among minors. In addition, they demonstrate the potential role of treatment and early intervention in reducing gambling-related harm and secondary offences.
