South Korean police have vowed to crack down on illegal Texas Hold ’em casino venues that are pocketing millions of dollars in profit.
National outlet Newsis reported police will ‘intensively’ crack down on illegal gambling activities taking place at Hold ’em bars across the country for the next four months.
These bars charge a fee on entry and are supposed to offer a casino-like experience without real-money wagering – however the state believes that is far from reality at some venues.
From 2023 to 2024, the National Police Agency in South Korea arrested almost 5,000 people on charges of illegal gambling – 49 of which were detained.
Earlier this year in March, an underground gambling lair disguised as a poker bar in the capital of Seoul was raided where police think owners made over $5 million.
A spokesperson for the police said: “Gamblers who turn themselves in may also escape further punishment. We encourage the public to actively report illegal activities.”
What Are South Korea’s Gambling Laws?
South Korea does not allow local-based or online casinos to operate – however, that simply means offshore casinos are extremely popular with residents.
Offshore casinos aren’t bound to South Korean gambling laws and they accept players from all across the country through the internet.
South Koreans are allowed to bet on sports, like soccer and horse racing. This form is heavily regulated by the government and there is a limited number of licensed operators who offer these services, with customers required to verify their identity and age before playing.
Naturally, many bettors turn to offshore sportsbooks to place wagers because there are no limits, restrictions or KYC checks to consider. Players have complete freedom and don’t have to feel like someone is watching over their shoulder.
The lottery is one of the few forms of gambling that is legalised in South Korea. First introduced in 1969, it is still very popular today and over half of residents aged 19 or above purchase a lottery ticket each year.
There is one in-person casino where local residents can gamble at, named the Kangwon Land Casino. It has over 200 tables and 1,350 slot machines to gamble on, but it’s heavily monitored and restricted by the government.
Joe Lyons is a betting industry writer for GamblingIndustryNews with years of experience on reputable sports and gambling websites. Joe has also been published by Nottingham Forest, working with the academy and senior teams to produce content on matchdays. He formerly covered the Premier League and EFL as an on-site reporter during the 2020/21 season for Prost International. He is an expert in a range of sports including soccer, basketball, horse racing and American football. Joe specialises in long form content alongside news, tips and betting.
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