Surge in Gambling Addiction Prompts Calls for Stricter Regulations in South Korea
Table of Contents
A growing number of South Koreans are seeking treatment for gambling addiction, fueling demands from lawmakers for more aggressive measures to combat illegal gambling operations. Data released by the Democratic Party reveals a notable increase in both the number of individuals receiving medical care and those utilizing counseling services.
According to data submitted to the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, the number of patients receiving medical attention for gambling addiction rose 23.62% from 2,743 in 2023 to 3,391 in 2024. This trend continued into 2025, with 2,756 individuals accessing care by August alone – already surpassing the full-year total from the previous year.
The rise in addiction is accompanied by a corresponding increase in demand for support services. Over the past three years, a total of 6,566 individuals have sought counseling and healing services related to illegal gambling, utilizing resources such as local centers, private agencies, Hellfrain, and online platforms. Usage of these services reached 21,824 in 2023, 2,334 in 2024, and 1,5508 by August of this year.
“Illegal sports gambling is a comprehensive issue with addiction, household breakdown, and social costs,” stated a senior official. This sentiment underscores the urgency felt by policymakers to address the problem.
Increased Enforcement Efforts, But Challenges Remain
Lawmakers are advocating for a two-pronged approach: blocking access to illegal gambling websites and increasing the rate of arrests for those involved in these operations. Enforcement efforts have seen some success, with arrest rates for illegal sports gamblers reaching 89.1% in 2023 and 91.3% in 2024. Though, the arrest rate dipped to 56.4% by the end of August of this year, suggesting potential challenges in maintaining momentum.
The number of cases under deliberation also provides insight into the scale of the issue. In January-August of this year, 13.95% (3,855 out of 27,622) of cases where being reviewed. This compares to 47.63% (2,6042 out of 5,4678 cases) in 2023 and 61.65% (36,490 out of 5,9189 cases) in 2024.
Min Hyung-bae, of the Democratic Party’s Normalization Prosecutors’ Prosecutor’s Committee, attended a meeting at the National assembly on August 26, 2025, to discuss these escalating concerns and potential solutions. The growing crisis highlights the need for sustained and comprehensive strategies to mitigate the harms associated with illegal gambling in South Korea.
Why: A surge in gambling addiction is driving the need for stricter regulations.The increase in individuals seeking treatment for gambling addiction, coupled with the social costs associated with illegal gambling, has prompted lawmakers to take action.
Who: the key players include South Korean lawmakers (particularly from the Democratic Party), individuals struggling with gambling addiction, the National Assembly’s Culture, sports and Tourism Committee, and organizations providing support services like Hellfrain and Korea Responsible Gambling.
