South Korea’s National Police Agency (NPA) issued a stark warning last week, revealing that over one in three individuals apprehended in the recent crackdown on online gambling were teenagers. The alarming statistics underscore a troubling trend of rising youth involvement in illegal gambling activities, sparking concerns over addiction and detrimental impacts. 

According to the Korea Times report, authorities apprehended a total of 2,925 individuals during the six-month crackdown targeting adolescent participation in online gambling, spanning from September 25 last year to March 31. Of these, a staggering 1,035, constituting 35.4 percent, were teenagers. 

Among the teenage offenders, 798 were high school students, 228 were middle school students, and seven were university students. Authorities also reported that even elementary school students were involved, with the youngest perpetrator being a 9-year-old who wagered 10,000 won. 

Enforcement actions and confiscations 

The crackdown resulted in the referral of 566 teenage offenders to specialized counselling centres with parental consent, aimed at addressing underlying issues and providing necessary support. Additionally, 75 adults faced imprisonment, and criminal proceeds totalling 61.9 billion won (€41.9 million) were confiscated. 

Modus operandi of online gambling attraction 

Police investigations shed light on the methods employed by online gambling sites to lure teenagers, including peer invitations, smartphone messages, online advertisements, and social media promotions. Baccarat emerged as the most favoured game among teenage gamblers, followed by sports betting, casino games, and Powerball or slot machines. 

The simplicity of registration processes, such as signing up with bank accounts or gift vouchers, facilitated teenage engagement in gambling activities. The report said that over 1,000 financial accounts under adolescents’ names were identified for managing gambling funds and related transactions. 

Perception challenges and technological manipulation 

Police highlighted the misconception of gambling as a harmless pastime among teens, exacerbated by cybergambling programs resembling simplistic gaming interfaces. Additionally, recent arrests revealed operators manipulating programs to expedite wins and losses, employing strategies like odd-even, ladder, and penalty kicks. 

Continued vigilance and enforcement 

With plans to resume the crackdown in May, the NPA remains resolute in its commitment to combating teenage involvement in online gambling. Woo Jong-soo, head of the National Office of Investigation, emphasized stringent enforcement against both gamblers and site operators to address the pressing issue of youth gambling. 

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