South Korean Gambling Laws Explained

Casinos and sports betting remain a risky venture within South Korea for locals and foreigners wanting to gamble online. Gambling is still strictly taboo amongst South Koreans, as the majority of land-based casinos cater to tourists and long-term expatriates residents.

South Koreans are subject to strict gambling regulations. Koreans are limited to visiting Kangwon Land Casino on the outskirts of Seoul for legalised gambling. The Special Act on the Assistance to Development of Abandoned Mines, protects locals playing at Kangwon Land Casino. Online gambling with overseas sportsbooks is strictly off-limits, with authorities strictly monitoring activity.

Earlier this week South Korean authorities in Busan announced that they had arrested 17 people, in connection with two online sports gambling rings. Busan police believe that the two rings had collected over $795 million USD in bets from locals. The suspects face charges of violating the National Sports Promotion Act.

Gambling in Korea.
Korean authorities announced they had smashed two illegal online gambling rings in Busan

Korean law covers all gambling in all forms by South Koreans both domestically and overseas.

Tourists and expats, however, are legally able to gamble at all casinos in country and Korean Law does not apply to non-Korean (in all but the most exceptional of crimes) while the non-Korean is abroad.

 

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