TLDR
- South Korea’s illegal gambling market is now estimated at 96 trillion won ($65 billion)
- 4% of the country’s young people have participated in illegal gambling
- Youth gambling criminal cases jumped 62% from 478 in 2024 to 777 in 2025
- Officials warn the social cost of youth gambling could reach 2 trillion won
- New gambling commission chairman Choi Byung-hwan took office April 28 with a reform agenda
South Korea is dealing with a rapidly expanding illegal gambling problem that has reached an estimated value of 96 trillion won, or roughly $65 billion. The issue is hitting young people especially hard.
Regulators say 4% of youth in the country have already taken part in illegal gambling activities. That figure has prompted lawmakers to call the situation a growing social crisis.
Police data paints a clear picture of how fast the problem is moving. In 2024, there were 478 criminal cases and preliminary dispositions tied to youth gambling. By 2025, that number climbed to 777.
That represents a 62% increase in just one year, according to SpoTV News.
Rep. Jeon Jeon-gi said during a recent National Assembly debate that the country has reached a turning point. He said the entire society should now recognize youth gambling as a serious problem.
Youth Gambling Linked to Rising Secondary Crimes
Officials say the issue goes beyond just placing bets. Lee Jin-sik of the Supervisory Committee warned that the social cost of youth gambling could hit 2 trillion won.
Ha Dong-jin, who heads the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Women and Youth Division, said illegal youth gambling often leads to secondary crimes. Young people are committing additional offenses to fund their gambling habits.
Speakers at the National Assembly debate agreed that enforcement alone will not solve the problem. They called for a coordinated response involving ministries across education, welfare, and family affairs.
Regulators and the sports sector were also urged to join the effort. The goal is to create a united front against illegal gambling among minors.
Some participants at the debate suggested that school sports could play a role in reducing the appeal of betting. Professor Kim Dong-hwan said strengthening the existing school system is the fastest path to prevention.
Others pointed to international models. In the United States, school sports programs provide structured activities and incentives that keep students engaged and away from gambling.
New Commission Chairman Takes Office With Reform Agenda
The debate comes at a time of leadership change at South Korea’s gambling regulator. Choi Byung-hwan took office as chairman of the National Gambling Control Commission on April 28.
His appointment was confirmed by the Prime Minister a week before he started. He is the tenth chairman of the commission and leads its seventh term.
During his inaugural speech at the Government Complex in Gwacheon, Choi laid out his priorities. He promised stronger consumer protection and a healthier gambling sector overall.
He said the commission will work to build a system that shields citizens from the harmful effects of gambling. At the same time, he pledged to support sustainable growth in the legal industry.
The scale of the challenge facing Choi is clear. The illegal market has ballooned to 96 trillion won, and youth involvement is climbing fast.
Police continue to report rising case numbers tied to young gamblers. Choi’s tenure begins with the dual task of reforming the legal gambling market and cracking down on the spread of illegal platforms.
