Authorities in South Korea are launching a renewed offensive against the rising tide of unauthorized gambling, as Korea Sports Leisure Co., Ltd. strengthens its public reporting incentives.
The company, acting as the trustee for Sports Toto under the National Sports Promotion Foundation, is reminding citizens that those who provide information leading to the shutdown of illegal betting operations can now receive rewards of up to ₩200 million.
A Tiered Incentive Structure for Public Safety
The Illegal Sports Toto Reporting Center has established a clear, tiered reward system to encourage information from both the general public and individuals within the illegal industry. The highest payout of ₩200 million is reserved for tips that result in the direct action against operators of illegal gambling businesses.
Those who report match-fixing in games covered by sports promotion voting rights can earn up to ₩50 million, while reports on promotion, mediation, or the provision of illegal betting software carry rewards of up to ₩15 million.
To submit a verified tip, informants must use the center’s official website or the hotline at 1899-1119, providing the URL of the illegal site along with specific access details like IDs or passwords and supporting evidence data.
Closing Loops and Protecting the Ecosystem
South Korea Sports Leisure is also targeting the financial lifelines of these operations. Citizens are encouraged to report bank and payment accounts linked to illegal sites, with each confirmed case qualifying for a ₩100,000 reward and no cap on the number of accounts reported. The organization emphasizes that the damage from these illegal systems is widespread:
“The damage done by illegal sports betting systems has been increasing over the years and has been affecting the average citizen and society as a whole. The organization will continue its efforts in promoting the active participation of the average citizen through the reward system and in helping build a healthier sports culture for the average citizen and the nation as a whole”.
