More than 1,700 teenagers self-report cyber gambling, with some turning to violence and crime

More than 1,700 teenagers reported themselves for cyber gambling during a three-month government amnesty in South Korea, exposing cases in which gambling debts spilled into violence, theft and fraud.

Police received 1,777 reports between May 18 and Aug. 31 in a joint program with education, gender equality, finance and gambling oversight authorities. The teenagers had an average age of 15.5, ranging from 12 to 18. High school students accounted for 963 cases, or 54.2 percent, while middle school students accounted for 813 cases. One elementary school student also reported gambling.

The teenagers had gambled for an average of 10 months and spent about 3 million won each. Casino-style games, including slots and baccarat, made up 95.9 percent of the reported activity. In 1,501 cases, teenagers reported themselves, while parents made 276 reports.

Interviews and investigations revealed how severe the problem had become. In Ulsan, a school police officer learned that a teenager had gambled about 200 million won over two years after the boy’s mother reported that he assaulted her when demanding pocket money. In Seoul, police uncovered a gambling group of 14 middle and high school students who had committed theft and fraud after running out of gambling money.

Police also found examples of collective intervention. In North Chungcheong Province, 116 teenagers reported themselves. At one school, a 15-year-old persuaded 30 peers to report together. Authorities considered gambling amounts, remorse and treatment results when deciding how to respond. Of 222 teenagers who completed treatment programs, 147 received warnings and 19 were referred for summary trials. In total, 166 received lenient treatment, while 56 considered more seriously involved were booked and referred onward.

Police asked the communications regulator to block or remove 464 illegal gambling website addresses identified during interviews. Five teenagers who suffered illegal high-interest lending after taking on gambling debt were connected with financial support services. Police are also investigating illegal lending and threatening debt collection targeting teenagers, relatives and acquaintances. The government plans to assess the reporting program by next month and decide whether to make it permanent.

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My son assaults me when he asks for pocket money.