Seoul, South Korea – South Korean police have reported a significant increase in the number of teenagers involved in cyber gambling, with nearly half of those arrested during a year-long special crackdown found to be under the age of 19.

In a special operation conducted between September 25, 2023, and October 31, 2024, the National Police Agency apprehended a total of 9,971 individuals involved in cyber gambling. Among those arrested, 4,715 (47.2%) were minors. Excluding operators and administrators, 4,672 of those arrested were directly involved in gambling activities.

Previously focused on high-stakes gambling by adults, the police expanded their efforts to target underage gamblers in response to the growing problem of juvenile gambling. As a result, the number of minors arrested for gambling increased by a staggering 27.8 times compared to the previous year.

The majority of juvenile offenders were 17 years old (1,763, or 38%), followed by 16-year-olds (1,241), 18-year-olds (899), 15-year-olds (560), and 14-year-olds (206). Notably, 63.7% of juvenile offenders were between the ages of 16 and 17. Surprisingly, even younger children, including a 9-year-old and eight 12-year-olds, were caught engaging in cyber gambling.

The most common type of gambling among teenagers was casino games (3,893 cases, or 82.6%), with baccarat being the most popular. Other popular games included slots, blackjack, and sports betting. The total amount of money involved was 3.7 billion won, with an average of 780,000 won per person. In one extreme case, a 16-year-old boy was found to have gambled 190 million won on baccarat.

Curiosity was the most common reason cited for starting to gamble (42.7%), followed by peer influence (33.6%), online and offline advertisements (19.8%), and the desire for money (3.9%).

Boys accounted for the vast majority of juvenile offenders, making up 97.5% of the total.

To address the issue of juvenile gambling, the police have referred these cases to juvenile delinquency review committees for appropriate measures, such as warnings, summary judgment, or prosecution. No arrests were made during the special operation. Additionally, the police are linking offenders with counseling and treatment services provided by organizations such as the Korea Gambling Problem Prevention and Treatment Center, regardless of whether they are formally charged. Approximately 37% of those arrested have been referred to such services.

Recognizing the severity of the issue, the police have extended the special crackdown on cyber gambling for another year until October 31, 2025. The police will also strengthen preventive education programs in schools, using cybercrime investigators as educators.

"To enhance the effectiveness of the extended special crackdown, we plan to recognize and reward outstanding achievements in cyber and criminal investigations," said Commissioner General Jo Ji-ho. "Cyber gambling can significantly harm the physical and emotional development of youth, and it is crucial to prevent them from getting involved in the first place."

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