South Korea is facing a growing public health crisis as cases of gambling addiction among adolescents have more than tripled over the last three years.
This alarming trend has been accompanied by a sharp and concerning surge in related criminal activities among young people, prompting lawmakers to call for urgent and comprehensive government action.
According to recent data, the number of adolescents treated for gambling addiction rose from 64 in 2022 to 210 in 2024, a 3.3-fold increase. The associated medical costs have likewise quadrupled, climbing from KRW 110 million ($79,400) to KRW 430 million in the same period.
This dramatic rise in addiction has correlated with a disturbing increase in juvenile crime. Gambling-related crimes committed by youths surged more than eightfold, from 76 cases in 2022 to 631 in 2024. The statistics show a particularly troubling trend among very young children, with arrests of those aged 10 to 13 for gambling crimes jumping from just two to 72.
The data points to a clear link with the accessibility of online platforms, as cases connected to online casinos increased from two to 93, while illegal sports betting incidents grew from 36 to 109. The demand for support services has also skyrocketed, with youth gambling counseling cases increasing from 1,460 in 2022 to 4,144 in 2024.
Despite the escalating problem, critics argue that the current support infrastructure is inadequate. Existing systems are often focused on other addictions, such as alcohol, and are not sufficiently equipped to handle the specific challenges of gambling addiction among youth.
Lawmakers are now pushing for expanded and more specialized treatment, counseling, and prevention programs to address the crisis before it worsens.
