Exponential growth in youth treatment figures
Data released by the Korea Problem Gambling Agency (KPGA) reveals a steep escalation in young people seeking assistance for gambling addictions. In 2021, the number of individuals aged 19 and under utilizing gambling treatment services stood at 1,241, but that figure surged 4.7 times to reach 5,838 people by 2025. This upward trajectory continued into 2026, with 5,083 young people accessing treatment services by August alone, accounting for 87 percent of the entire previous year’s total.
The share of young users among total treatment participants climbed rapidly from 6.2 percent in 2021 to 6.5 percent in 2022 and 9.6 percent in 2023. The proportion jumped further to 17.8 percent in 2024 and reached 24.3 percent last year. By August 2026, youths represented 29 percent of all 17,523 service users. The figures were brought to light by Rep. Lee Jeong-mun of the Democratic Party of Korea, who serves as secretary of the National Assembly Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee.
Associated crimes and counseling resource limits
Beyond treatment facilities, youth gambling concerns are reflected in law enforcement records. Korean National Police Agency figures show that 74 boys aged fourteen to eighteen were arrested for gambling related crimes in 2022, a figure that climbed to 323 by August 2026. Furthermore, a government voluntary reporting campaign conducted between May and August 2026 revealed that 1,777 youths admitted to using online casino sites and similar platforms.
Experts note that gambling addiction frequently triggers secondary crises, including illegal private loans, fraud, theft, and peer conflicts linked to school violence.
Despite surging demand, the KPGA counseling workforce remains constrained. The agency reported 126 treatment personnel this year, down from 129 staff members in 2021. Agency leadership acknowledged that limits on regional center expansion and minimal staff growth have restricted service delivery. In response, the KPGA plans to deploy one youth dedicated counselor across each of its fourteen regional centers starting in 2027. Rep. Lee emphasized that support infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the crisis, urging society to convert rising concern into concrete recovery resources.
