Key Moments:
- South Korea’s National Police Agency arrested 5,196 individuals during a year-long nationwide campaign targeting unlawful cyber gambling.
- The authorities seized 123.5 billion won in criminal proceeds and managed 3,544 gambling cases as part of their operation.
- Young adults in their 20s and 30s represented just over half of all suspects apprehended in this enforcement sweep.
Nationwide Crackdown Spurs Thousands of Arrests
Over the span of a year, South Korea’s National Police Agency undertook a comprehensive operation aimed at dismantling illegal cyber gambling schemes. Conducted by the National Investigation Headquarters from November last year through October this year, the initiative led to the arrest of 5,196 individuals across the country.
Authorities detained 314 suspects and recovered 123.5 billion won linked to criminal gambling activity. The operation targeted increasingly sophisticated and frequently cross-border gambling networks. Efforts involved cybercrime units from both regional and metropolitan police forces, each securing digital evidence and identifying violations within the online gambling sector. During the crackdown, investigators managed 3,544 cases, with both arrests and detentions reflecting a year-on-year increase.
Demographics Highlight Youth Involvement
Analysis of arrest data revealed that young adults are prominent among suspects. Individuals in their 20s comprised 1,514 arrests, accounting for 25.3 percent of the total, while another 1,489 suspects were in their 30s, representing 24.9 percent. Combined, these groups made up slightly more than half of all apprehended individuals. Additional figures include 1,366 suspects in their 40s, 800 in their 50s, 417 teenagers, and 306 aged 60 or above.
Authorities attributed this trend to the accessibility of online gambling platforms among younger populations. Distinctions emerged among different gambling products: sports betting services like Sports Toto were most prevalent with people in their 20s and 30s, while online casino games were popular among those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Racing-related gambling attracted primarily those in their 40s and older.
| Age Group | Number of Suspects | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Teens | 417 | – |
| 20s | 1,514 | 25.3% |
| 30s | 1,489 | 24.9% |
| 40s | 1,366 | – |
| 50s | 800 | – |
| 60 or older | 306 | – |
Authorities Address Rising Youth Gambling
The National Police Agency brought attention to the escalating issue of youth involvement in gambling, despite the fact that many cases do not advance to formal booking and thus may not enter official statistics. Over the past year, 7,153 youth gambling offenders were detected. Intervention is provided by local police guidance review committees, with potential outcomes ranging from warnings or release to summary judgment requests or further action. Counseling through the Korea Centre on Gambling Problems is also facilitated when agreed upon by both the youth and a parent.
International Operations Target Overseas Networks
A significant focus of the enforcement action was on organizations operating across borders. The South Chungcheong Provincial Police Agency apprehended 97 individuals linked to a group managing gambling websites collectively valued at 5.3 trillion won, with operations based in Cambodia, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Another separate case handled by the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency resulted in 23 arrests involving a gambling website hosted on servers in the Philippines. These episodes underscore the global dimension of illegal gambling activities.
Ongoing Measures and Future Outlook
The Korean National Police Agency has outlined plans to continue these intensified efforts against cyber gambling crimes until October 2026. Enhanced attention will be given to identifying key operators, distributors, advertising coordinators, and frequent high-value gamblers. Specialized cyber investigative teams, mobile squads, and legal measures targeting criminal organizations will support these campaigns, with continued attempts to locate and repatriate fugitives operating overseas.
Official Warning and Commitment
Park Woo-hyeon, cyber investigation deliberation officer at the Korean National Police Agency, said, “The damage is spreading even to youths,” and added, “As it evolves into organised, transnational crime, we will do our best to eradicate it.”
- Author
Daniel Williams
