Police target $1 billion gambling sites, recover $73 million in proceeds

South Korean police have intensified their crackdown on illegal online gambling, arresting 2,319 individuals and securing 154 in the first half of the year. The operation, which ran from November 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024, focused on dismantling large-scale gambling operations, including those based overseas. Authorities successfully recovered and preserved 107.2 billion won (approximately $73 million USD) in criminal proceeds, a significant 2.3-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

One major bust involved a ring operating a gambling site worth an estimated 1.31 trillion won (approx. $890 million USD) from Vietnam. Police arrested 63 individuals, including the main operators, and froze 38.7 billion won in illicit gains. Another operation in Jeju uncovered a network that ran a site valued at 339.5 billion won (approx. $230 million USD), leading to 17 arrests and the seizure of 13.2 billion won.

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Cyber gambling is a transnational crime that evolves across borders, fueled by vast criminal proceeds.

The police are now shifting their focus beyond just the operators. Analysis of seized administrator pages and suspect testimonies revealed that many gambling sites utilize identical technical platforms. Consequently, the investigation will expand in the latter half of the year to target the companies that develop and supply these platforms, aiming to disrupt the entire supply chain of illegal online gambling.

Demographically, individuals in their 30s constituted the largest group of those arrested (24.7%), followed closely by those in their 20s (23.6%) and 40s (22.1%). Sports betting was the most popular form of gambling among younger demographics, while horse racing and similar betting games were more prevalent among older age groups. The police noted a lower number of teenage arrests, attributing this to a focus on rehabilitation and prevention through youth guidance committees for first-time offenders involved in minor gambling.

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We will not stop at arresting lower-level members but will actively apprehend the kingpins and suppliers of gambling sites and pursue criminal proceeds to the very end.