Is Gambling Legal in South Korea? Laws & Restrictions Explained
Gambling is largely illegal in South Korea, with strict laws prohibiting most forms of betting and gaming activities for Korean citizens. I'll explain the current legal situation and what's actually allowed.
The main law governing gambling in South Korea is the Criminal Act, which explicitly prohibits most gambling activities. Korean citizens can face heavy fines and even imprisonment for participating in illegal gambling, whether inside the country or abroad.
There are only a few legal exceptions to gambling in Korea:
- The national lottery (Lotto) - Legal horse racing - Legal boat racing - Legal cycling racing - Legal sports ToTo betting (sports lottery)
For casinos, the rules are particularly strict. While there are 23 casinos operating in South Korea, only one - Kangwon Land Casino - allows Korean citizens to enter and gamble. All other casinos are exclusively for foreigners and require a foreign passport for entry.
Online gambling is completely prohibited for Korean citizens. This includes:
- Online casino games - Online poker - Online sports betting (except the legal sports ToTo) - Online gambling apps
The government actively blocks access to foreign gambling websites and can prosecute citizens who attempt to access these sites using VPNs or other means.
Penalties for illegal gambling in Korea can be severe:
- Fines up to 5 million won (approximately $4,000 USD) - Prison sentences of up to 3 years - Additional penalties for organizing gambling activities - Possible asset seizure
It's worth noting that these restrictions apply specifically to Korean citizens. Foreigners visiting Korea have more options, as they can enter any of the country's foreigner-only casinos with valid identification.
The government maintains these strict regulations to prevent gambling addiction and protect social order. While there's occasional discussion about potentially relaxing some gambling laws, significant changes appear unlikely in the near future.
If you're visiting Korea and interested in legal gambling, ensure you understand the local laws and only participate in authorized activities. Korean citizens should stick to the few legal options available or risk facing serious legal consequences.