Gambling Laws in Korea: Is it Legal or Illegal in 2024?
Yes, gambling is illegal in Korea for both citizens and tourists, with very few exceptions. I'll explain the key details about gambling laws in South Korea and what you need to know.
Under Korean law, most forms of gambling are strictly prohibited. The only legal gambling activities for Korean citizens are:
• Government-sponsored lotteries • Horse racing betting • Boat racing betting • Cycling betting
There is one major exception - Kangwon Land Casino. This is the only casino where Korean citizens are legally allowed to gamble. Located in Gangwon Province, it's about 3 hours from Seoul by car.
For tourists, the rules are slightly different. Foreigners can gamble at any of the 23 foreigner-only casinos located throughout South Korea. However, you must present your passport to prove you're not a Korean citizen before being allowed entry.
The penalties for illegal gambling in Korea are severe:
• Fines up to 10 million won (approximately $7,500 USD) • Prison sentences up to 3 years • Deportation for foreigners caught gambling illegally • Additional penalties for organizing illegal gambling operations
Online gambling is also strictly prohibited in South Korea. This includes:
• Sports betting (except through legal channels) • Online casinos • Poker websites • Any form of internet gambling
The government actively blocks access to overseas gambling websites and can prosecute individuals who participate in online gambling, even if the website is based outside Korea.
Korean citizens are also prohibited from gambling while abroad. If caught, they can face prosecution upon returning to Korea, regardless of whether the gambling was legal in the country where it took place.
For anyone visiting or living in Korea, it's crucial to understand and respect these gambling laws, as authorities take violations very seriously and actively enforce these regulations.