South Korea received 294 voluntary reports of youth cyber gambling in the first month of a new national reporting program. Most reports came directly from teenagers, showing how widely illegal online gambling has reached middle and high school students.
The Korean National Police Agency received 244 self-reports and 50 reports from parents or guardians between May 18 and June 22. The program allows young people under 19, or their families, to report gambling activity and receive counselling before cases move deeper into the criminal process.
One school records 48 reports
A high school in Gangwon Province recorded 48 voluntary reports, the highest total from a single school. Another nearby high school accounted for 20 reports, bringing the regional total to 78 cases.
Police used school liaison officers, Instagram contacts and direct messages to promote the reporting program. The approach was aimed at reaching students through channels they use every day rather than relying only on school notices or formal reporting systems.
The reports show that cyber gambling is not limited to older teenagers. High school students made up 176 cases, or 60% of the total, while 118 middle school students also reported gambling activity.
Deposits and gambling periods raise concern
Teenagers who reported cyber gambling had spent an average of 12 months using gambling sites. The average amount deposited was KRW3 million, or about $2,200, while the highest individual amount reached KRW60 million.
Male students accounted for 274 of the 294 reports, representing 93% of the total. Police data also showed that gambling activity often continued for long periods before students or families sought help.
Some reports involved wider harm linked to gambling debts. One 15-year-old student in Incheon reported gambling losses of KRW30 million after violence at home linked to unpaid debt.
Another case involved a 17-year-old out-of-school teenager who had deposited KRW16 million over 14 months. Police linked the case to repeated runaway incidents and vehicle theft used to obtain gambling money.
Reports lead to counselling support
Young people who report through the system are connected to school police officers and gambling treatment counsellors. They receive initial counselling and screening before being referred to specialist addiction services when needed.
Police can consider the reported gambling amount, the student’s conduct and participation in treatment when deciding how to handle each case. Possible outcomes include warnings, diversion measures or summary court procedures.
The voluntary reporting system will continue until the end of August. South Korea is also increasing action against illegal gambling websites and online payment networks as authorities try to reduce youth access to cyber gambling.
