Key Moments:
- Korean teen gambling addiction cases rose from 64 in 2022 to 210 in 2024.
- Police reported teen gambling crime suspects increased from 76 in 2022 to 631 in 2024.
- Online casino cases involving teens surged from 2 in 2022 to 93 in 2023.
Spike in Teen Gambling Addiction Cases
The number of teenagers in Korea seeking treatment for gambling addiction has tripled within just two years. Lawmakers have described the situation as reaching crisis proportions, pressing for immediate government measures. One middle school student, who sought counseling after developing a gambling habit in sixth grade, shared that he was introduced to online sports betting on the internet and began wagering out of curiosity. The student soon found the activity difficult to stop, eventually resorting to taking money from his parents and friends to fund his gambling. These behaviors impacted his academic performance and daily routine.
Illegal Gambling Proliferates Among Youth
Illegal gambling activities have become increasingly widespread among teens, driving a significant uptick in addiction cases. According to Rep. Seo Young-seok of the Democratic Party, data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service revealed that cases of teen gambling addiction jumped from 64 in 2022 to 210 in 2024. From January through July of this year, 156 teenagers reportedly received treatment for gambling addiction.
Crime Rates Related to Teen Gambling Increase Substantially
Police records indicate a dramatic increase in gambling-related crimes among teens. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of teens apprehended for these offenses rose from 76 to 631. Among them, the count of juveniles under 14, who are exempt from criminal charges, increased from 2 to 72 over the same period. Online casino activity involving teens experienced the sharpest escalation, climbing from two cases in 2022 to 93 the following year, while illegal sports betting rose from 36 cases to 109.
| Year | Teen Addiction Cases | Teens Caught for Gambling Crimes | Online Casino Cases | Illegal Sports Betting Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 64 | 76 | 2 | 36 |
| 2023 | – | – | 93 | – |
| 2024 | 210 | 631 | – | 109 |
Call for Comprehensive Prevention and Treatment
Rep. Seo has called on authorities to enforce stronger preventive and treatment measures. “Teen gambling is not an issue that can be solved by crackdowns alone. It destroys education and health, leads to family breakdowns and repeat crimes and causes an explosion in social costs – making it a disaster for society as a whole,” he said.
“We need more treatment centers for adolescents, more counselors and expanded prevention education in schools and communities,” Seo added.
- Author
Daniel Williams
