SEOUL, May 03 (AJU PRESS) - The number of Korean juveniles booked for illegal gambling more than doubled last year, prompting police to come up with comprehensive preventative measures.
A total of 171 teenagers aged 14-19 were booked on suspicion of illegal gambling in 2023, a 2.3-fold increase from 74 in the previous year, the National Police Agency said Friday. Boys accounted for 92.4 percent of them.
The average age of such suspects has steadily declined over the past five years, from 17.3 years old in 2019 to 16.6 in 2021 and to 16.1 in 2023.
Police said 84.8 percent of the suspects engaged in online gambling, including baccarat and sports betting, in which a single game often lasts only about 10 seconds.
Police also said 56.7 percent of them accessed gambling sites at PC cafes, primarily using computers and smartphones.
Law enforcement predicts a further rise in juvenile gambling using smartphones, as they can easily access such devices and tend to perceive mobile gambling as a simple game.
Police warned that illegal teenage gambling can lead to related crimes like school violence and online fraud to obtain gambling funds.
"Illegal smartphone gambling poses a serious threat to our youth," said National Police Agency Commissioner Yoon Hee-keun. He pledged to deter youth gambling addiction through enhanced guidance and prevention of relapse.
To combat this trend, police will initiate awareness programs on the dangers of gambling for middle and high school students and their parents.
Authorities will also run rehabilitation programs in collaboration with local teen counseling centers to offer counseling, medical and legal support to offenders.
Police will closely monitor young gamblers who have quit, as they are prone to relapse within 90 days. Weekly counseling sessions will be provided, with the option for extension.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
