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Teen Gambling Addiction Skyrockets in South Korea, Up 172% in 4 Years
🇰🇷 South Korea

Teen Gambling Addiction Skyrockets in South Korea, Up 172% in 4 Years

From Dong-A Ilbo · (2d ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The number of teenage gambling addicts in South Korea has surged by 172% in four years, reaching 267 cases in 2024.
  • Adolescents are increasingly accessing online gambling through social media and peer influence, with the average age of first gambling experience dropping to 12.5 years.
  • Experts call for stricter crackdowns on illegal online gambling sites and enhanced preventive education to address the growing crisis.

A deeply concerning trend is emerging among South Korea's youth, with a dramatic surge in teenage gambling addiction. The statistics are stark: a 172% increase in just four years, highlighting a crisis that demands immediate attention. This isn't just about numbers; it's about young lives being derailed by the allure of online gambling.

My friends were gambling online, so I naturally followed along. I often borrowed money from friends to gamble.

— Mr. Hwang (19)This quote illustrates how peer influence and the ease of access contribute to teenage gambling.

The accessibility of online gambling platforms, often disguised through social media and gaming channels, has made it alarmingly easy for teenagers to fall prey. The peer influence factor is significant, with many young people starting due to friends' involvement. The fact that the average age of first gambling exposure has dropped to a mere 12.5 years is a chilling indicator of how pervasive this issue has become.

The average age at which adolescents first experience gambling has decreased from 12.9 years in 2024 to 12.5 years in 2025.

— Korea Problem Gambling Center reportThis statistic highlights the concerning trend of younger individuals engaging in gambling.

Experts are sounding the alarm, emphasizing the need for a multi-pronged approach. This includes not only strengthening the enforcement against illegal online gambling operations but also implementing robust, age-appropriate preventive education. The goal is to equip young Koreans with the awareness and resilience to resist the temptations of gambling, safeguarding their future and well-being. The long-term consequences of unchecked adolescent gambling addiction could have profound societal impacts, making this a critical issue for South Korea to address.

We need to strengthen supervision and management across platforms, including messengers, related to online gambling.

— Lee Hae-guk, Professor of Psychiatry at Uijeongbu St. Mary's HospitalThis quote calls for regulatory action to curb the spread of online gambling.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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