South Korea's National Police Agency (NPA) previously issued a stern warning, revealing that a third of the individuals arrested in a recent crackdown on online gambling were teenagers. This worrying statistic highlights the rise in youth involvement in illegal gambling activities. The trend is disturbing and raises concerns about the negative effects of gambling addiction.
According to The Korea Times, authorities arrested 2,925 individuals in a six-month crackdown on youths involved in online gambling, which spanned from September 25 to March 31 last year. Of these, a staggering 35.4% - 1,035 people - were teenagers.
Among the juvenile offenders, 798 were high school students, 228 were middle school students, and seven were college students. Authorities also reported that even elementary school students were involved, with the youngest offender being a 9-year-old who bet 10,000 won.
Enforcement Actions and Seizures
The crackdown has resulted in 566 juvenile offenders being sent to specialized counseling centers with parental consent, 75 adults facing prison sentences, and the confiscation of a total of 61.9 billion won (41.9 million euros) in criminal proceeds.
Online gambling methods to attract young people
The police investigation revealed the methods used by online gambling sites to attract teenagers, including peer invitations, smartphone text messages, online advertising and social media promotions. Baccarat is the most popular game among teen gamblers, followed by sports betting, casino games and Powerball or slot machines.
The registration process is very simple, such as using a bank account or gift voucher to register. This makes teenagers addicted to gambling activities. The report said that more than 1,000 financial accounts opened in the names of teenagers were found to manage gambling funds and related transactions.
Cognitive Challenges and Technical Manipulations
Police have highlighted the misconception among young people that gambling is a harmless pastime. This misconception is exacerbated by online gambling apps that resemble simple game interfaces. In addition, recent arrests have revealed that operators manipulate the apps to speed up wins and losses by using odds, ladders and penalties.
Continued vigilance and enforcement
The National Police Agency of Korea plans to resume crackdown operations in May, steadfast in its commitment to prevent young people from participating in online gambling. National Bureau of Investigation Director Oh Jong-su stressed tough enforcement against gamblers and website operators to address the pressing issue of youth gambling.
