(AsiaGameHub) – Over 50% of students in two South Korean regions report encountering or engaging with internet gambling advertisements.
According to the South Korean daily Kangwon Ilbo, these results come from a study on youth gambling ordered by the Korea Gambling Problem Prevention and Treatment Center.
The organization discovered that 56% of minors in Gangwon and Jeju had been exposed to gambling marketing content.
More than 5% of those surveyed admitted to having gambled, a figure exceeding the nationwide average of approximately 3%.
The center noted that the typical age for a first online wager among these youths was 12 and a half years.
The center attributed the surge in youth gambling in these regions to peer influence and insufficient recreational options designed for young people.
Minors informed the center that they frequently encounter ads promoting cash-betting games, illicit sports wagering, and internet casinos while browsing the web or using mobile applications.
Some of the largest casinos in South Korea are located in Gangwon and Jeju.
Children: Gambling Ads Have Become Ubiquitous
In response, the center plans to introduce a campaign targeting youth to curb compulsive gambling, which will include interactive workshops for young people.
The center stated that this anti-gambling campaign aligns with fresh regulations enacted by the National Assembly.
Legislators recently approved changes to the Act on the Supervision of the Korea Gambling Control Commission, mandating that schools conduct gambling prevention education at least biannually.
“Youth gambling is emerging as a critical issue,” a center spokesperson remarked. “Illegal wagering is increasingly common among the youth, becoming integrated into their everyday lives.”
Law enforcement agencies across the nation have initiated amnesty programs for youth involved in gambling offenses.
Officers indicated that minors and young adults who surrender during these amnesty windows will be granted pardons or reduced sentences.
Concurrently, Korea Sports Leisure, the state sports lottery operator, has reiterated its request for whistleblowers on illegal sports betting to step forward. According to the Dong-A Ilbo, the operator is providing monetary rewards for information resulting in arrests.
Korea Sports Leisure announced potential payouts of up to 200 million won (exceeding $135,000). Additionally, it urged athletes to report any knowledge of attempted match-fixing.
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