Rising Teen Gambling Addiction in South Korea Spurs Calls for Stricter Measures
Recent data from the Korea Center on Gambling Problems (KCGP) reveals a troubling trend in South Korea: a significant increase in the number of teenagers seeking help for gambling addiction over the past four years. The Korea Times reported that counseling sessions for underage individuals have more than doubled.
Demographic Shifts in Pathological Gambling
According to KCGP data, the number of teenagers seeking counseling for gambling addiction rose from 1,286 in 2020 to 2,665 by August 2024.
Representative Cho Gye-won of the Democratic Party of Korea has expressed concern over this trend, urging the government to implement stricter measures against illegal gambling activities.
Cho emphasized the need for harsher penalties, including legal actions and blocking unauthorized gambling websites.
He also called for the inclusion of gambling prevention programs in school curriculums to tackle the issue proactively.
Despite the increase in overall counseling numbers, the percentage of those identified as pathological gamblers has remained relatively stable, at 65.1% in 2020 and 66.4% in 2024.
The absolute numbers, however, have risen, with 362 pathological cases reported in 2020 and 582 in 2024.
Shifts Toward Online Casino Gambling
The KCGP attributes the surge in addiction cases partly to the rise of online casinos among teenagers.
While participation in sports betting has significantly declined—from 48.2% in 2020 to 9.2% in 2024—interest in online casino games has increased dramatically.
In 2020, only 8.9% of teenagers engaged with online casino platforms, but this figure soared to 59% by 2024.
Age Demographics Show a Concerning Shift
The KCGP data also shows a shift in the age demographics of those seeking counseling.
In 2020, most of the teenagers receiving help were aged 17 to 19, accounting for 80.5% of cases.
By 2024, this had changed significantly, with 55% of those seeking assistance falling within the 14 to 16 age group, indicating a younger age bracket being affected by gambling problems.
Private Sector Initiatives Against Underage Gambling
In response to these concerning trends, private sector companies have launched initiatives aimed at combating underage gambling.
These campaigns focus on educating young people about the risks and helping to prevent gambling-related issues from developing at an early age.
