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Gambling regulations in South Korea can be slightly overwhelming, as different rules apply to citizens and foreigners. Visitors to the country need to understand which laws apply to them in terms of gambling, sports betting, and the lottery if they plan on frequenting any casinos while there. South Koreans should also ensure they stay up to date with the country’s legislation, especially with the recent government clampdown on illegal online gambling.
Casino Gambling Is Legal For Everyone Except Citizens
Korean citizens are not allowed to engage in casino gambling. Although there are top-class casinos in the country in an attempt to boost the economy, these establishments only cater to tourists and foreigners.
The laws in Korea are very strict, and citizens who dare try to gamble are punished severely. There is one caveat, though; Koreans are allowed to domestically gamble at the Kangwon Land Casino, which will be discussed in more detail below.
The casinos open to foreigners can rival those in Vegas, offering slots, table games, and traditional gambling games like tujeon and go-stop. The best casinos for visitors in the country include:
- Paradise Casino Walker Hill, Seoul
- Jeju Oriental Hotel, Jeju
- Casino Paradise Busan, Busan
- Seven Luck Casino (multiple locations, including Gangnam District and Yongsan District in Seoul, and Busan)
There Are Strict Online Gambling Restrictions
The government is keeping an active eye on online activities, using SSL encryption to track any illegal online gambling. Many citizens are turning to online casinos using a virtual private network (VPN), which hides their IP address and location, overcoming any geo-restrictions on the site.
Despite the risk of being caught, citizens enjoy playing poker and online casinos at some of the best sites, like BetWiz and 80Bet (source: https://www.pokerscout.com/kr/). Many Koreans also rely on crypto casinos to bypass legal barriers. Crypto gambling allows players to gamble anonymously, and their transactions won’t be tracked by financial authorities. These sites are unregulated in Korea and not bound by local restrictions.
South Koreans Can Gamble At The Kangwon Land Casino
As mentioned, the Kangwon Land Casino is the only casino where Koreans can legally gamble. It is located in the Gangwon province, which is a self-governing province. This casino not only caters to locals, but to tourists too. It is a highly profitable establishment, attracting over 2 million patrons each year. It offers 200 gaming tables and more than 1,300 slot and video gambling machines, making it the largest casino in the country. There is also a VIP club called the “Summitas Club”. Patrons must be over 19 years of age and be able to verify their identity before gambling. According to the casino’s management, “Kangwon Land Casino, as the leader of healthy gaming culture, restricts admission to the casino according to the casino business terms and the casino admission management guidelines.”
The Kangwon Land Casino is located far away from major cities, though, which limits its accessibility to most citizens. The province used to experience a lot of war and destruction, which is why the government decided to open the casino at a ski resort in an attempt to help the economy recover.
The other reason for its remote location is to discourage the working class from gambling too frequently.
Lottery Is Legal
The lottery is one form of gambling that is allowed. The lottery was first introduced by the House Lotto in 1969 and remains a popular activity to this day. The lottery sector is thriving, with online lottery and bingo revenue predicted to reach $2.26 billion by the end of 2025, with an annual growth rate of 1.73%. Lotto ticket sales in 2024 reached a new record of $4.16 billion, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
There are several forms of lottery in South Korea, including the House Lotto and Bok-won (also called the Pension 520 Lottery). Money raised for the Lottery Fund is then used for public welfare services like the Housing Stability Project, which provides homes for low-income families.
Some Forms Of Betting Are Allowed
Apart from the lottery, there are some gambling, in the form of sports betting, which is legal in South Korea.
Horse racing is one of the legal betting activities in the country. Racing was introduced during the 1890s, purely for entertainment. Betting on the races only came along in the 1920s and has been legal ever since.
Citizens are also allowed to bet on several other sports. Football is quickly becoming a favorite sport in the country. Bets can be placed online, however, there are only a few regulated sportsbooks in the country, and therefore, Koreans are turning to offshore sportsbooks to get better odds and access to more international sports.
South Koreans can bet on sports in pari-mutuel betting, also called “Toto-style” betting. With this type of betting, only 50% of the winnings go to the bettor, while the rest is held by the sportsbook. Apart from football, the other popular sports for this type of betting include:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Golf
- Volleyball
- Ssireum (traditional Korean form of wrestling)
Betting on esports is also incredibly common, especially because of how popular esports are. Young Koreans are frequently engaging in massive tournaments in Seoul. Professional players have secured millions of dollars in winnings in 2024 alone. With esports being so big, it’s no surprise that betting on players and teams has taken off. The most popular games to place bets on include League of Legends, StarCraft, and DOTA 2.
In Conclusion
Gambling in South Korea remains a tightly regulated pastime, with a clear distinction between what is legal for citizens and foreigners. Tourists can enjoy world-class casinos throughout the country, while locals who want to visit a casino are restricted to the distant Kangwon Land Casino, along with a couple of state-approved betting options like horse racing, esports and the state lottery.
The government has taken a strong stance against illegal gambling, especially online unregulated sites, showing its dedication to maintaining public health standards and social order. However, a growing number of South Koreans are turning to VPNs to access offshore casinos and betting platforms, or opting for crypto gambling to remain anonymous. Whether a citizen or a tourist, it is important to remain up to date with the latest Korean gambling laws to prevent penalties or deportation.
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