South Korea Sees Alarming Rise in Teen Gambling and Treatment Requests

South Korea is facing a growing concern with teen gambling. In 2025, 5,838 young people aged 19 or under sought support and counseling for gambling problems, marking a 40.9% increase from the previous year. This data was presented to Rep. Lim Oh-kyeong by the South Korean National Gambling Control Commission.

The majority of young people who experienced gambling-related problems used illegal operators. Illegal gambling companies easily reach young adults, teens, and even children through social media.

This alarming trend highlights the need for urgent updates to the country’s gambling harm prevention policies to safeguard the well-being of teenagers.