Complete Guide to Gambling in South Korea

Gambling is a popular pastime among South Koreans. However, there exist legal hurdles in the country that make gambling challenging. Citizens should understand places or venues of gambling. There are about 23 brick-and-mortar casinos in Korea, and only Sangwon casino allows citizens to gamble. Casinos in South Korea are meant for tourists, and citizens found gambling are punished severely by the law. 

The country has set harsh rules that regulate gambling. South Koreans who are found gambling outside the country are punished through imprisonment on their return. South Koreans can wager on boat racing, bike racing, horse racing and participate in lotteries. Our expert, An Jung Su, sheds light on the complete guide to gambling in a South Korea casino.

Can South Koreans gamble?

South Korea is very popular for being one of the most advanced countries in East Asia. Gambling in Korea is termed illegal, and lawbreakers are judged harshly by the law. Citizens are not allowed to gamble in and outside their country. There are traditional-based casinos that only allow tourists to play in their facilities. 

Casino Sangwon is the biggest casino in South Korea that enables foreigners and citizens to wager on their favorite games. It is located at Gangwon Province in South Korea. Its location is challenging to get into, and very few citizens can travel to the deserted area. Despite the harsh rules, gambling in South Korea finds its way to gamblers. Citizens engage in various forms of gambling, including horse racing, boat racing, lotteries, and dog racing.

Online gambling in South Korea

Online gambling in South Korea is deemed illegal. However, citizens go a mile ahead to sign up with offshore accounts and enjoy their favorite casino games. 한국 카지노의 리뷰에서 알 수 있듯이 한국의 플레이어가 이용할 수 있는 좋은 평판의 해외 사이트가 많이 있습니다. On the other hand, the government of South Korea works tirelessly and cracks down on online casinos and it is very challenging to blocklist all of them.

Citizens adopt advanced ways such as the use of VPN to hide their identity. Advanced technology in gambling has also made online gambling in South Korea possible. For instance, the use of cryptocurrency has helped gamblers play without retrieving their identity. Crypto is also decentralized therefore not controlled by government or bank institutions. The country has recorded high rates of gambling addiction. It is unclear how the government imposes strict gambling rules on its citizens while tourists enjoy gambling freedom. Putting an end to online gambling in South Korea can be an enormous task considering the country is one of the most advanced tech countries in East Asia.

Why South Korea should legalize gambling

Gambling is a lucrative business that has attracted many investors globally. Despite the strict rules in South Korea, some investors are willing to risk their wealth and lives for the gambling industry. In the United States, gambling revenue stood at $43.6 billion. The gambling industry in the US is likely to surpass $44 billion by the end of 2021. In addition, the industry has created jobs for many citizens in the country. 

States in Canada that had deemed gambling illegal have started accepting the activity. Poland has taken bills in parliament intending to amend strict rules that control gambling. South Korea should not open its gambling doors at a go but open it in phases. The Korean government is taking stringent measures to prevent gambling addiction. On the other hand, it should teach gamblers the adverse effects of gambling and advocate for responsible gambling.

Example of a land-based casino in South Korea 

Alpensia casino and resort

It is a top-rated casino known for its luxury and fantasy and is located in the Daegwanryeong-myeon township in Pyeongchang. It has two hotels known as Holiday Inn and Intercontinental. Alpensia has 15 gaming tables and 50 gaming machines and sits on 6,000 square feet. Tourists enjoy casino games, including Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, and Wheel of Fortune. Those players who have plans to travel to South Korea should consider putting Alpensia Resort on their bucket list.

South Asia has beautiful entertainment options such as Japanese cultural festivals, online gaming tournaments, parks, and events all year round. Gambling in South Korea is deemed illegal, and the government has posed strict laws that govern the industry. Lawbreakers face three years imprisonment when caught in the act. However, tourists traveling in the country are free to gamble and visit all 23 casinos. Alphenisa casino is one of the most lucrative casinos that offers games.