Illegal gambling dens operating exclusively for Chinese nationals are reportedly proliferating in parts of Seoul, particularly in the Chinatown districts of Garibong-dong in Guro-gu and Daerim-dong in Yeongdeungpo-gu.
Local media investigations conducted earlier this week identified more than 100 unlicensed venues offering slot machine and mahjong-style gambling, while explicitly prohibiting entry to Korean nationals.
The establishments typically operate behind discreet signage using Chinese-language terms such as “노인활동실” (elderly activity room), a euphemism commonly understood within the community to refer to gambling rooms.
Access is tightly controlled, with entry reportedly restricted to individuals presenting Chinese identification. Windows are often obscured, and security personnel are positioned to deter outsiders, reflecting increasingly sophisticated efforts to avoid detection.
According to police officials, the growth of these venues has coincided with rising numbers of Chinese residents and visitors in Korea. Many of the gambling dens are concentrated in ageing commercial buildings, some of which also house unlicensed guesthouses that accommodate patrons overnight.
In one reported case, an illegal gambling operation was found in a building owned by a descendant of a Korean independence activist. The property owner stated they were unaware of the activity and indicated plans to terminate the lease after inspection.
Under Korean law, foreigners may only gamble at 17 licensed casinos nationwide. Operating an illegal gambling venue carries penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment or fines of up to KRW30m ($21,000), with similar liability for landlords who knowingly permit such activities.
Despite this framework, enforcement remains challenging. Official data shows the number of illegal gambling sites under police surveillance rose from 273 in 2022 to 909 in 2024. However, on-site crackdowns declined over the same period, as authorities cite guarded operations and fragmented organisational structures that complicate evidence gathering.
The proliferation of illegal gambling operations contrasts with efforts by legitimate operators in the country to promote responsible gaming. Betman recently launched a month-long campaign encouraging safer Sports Toto participation through educational tools and self-assessment programs.
Meanwhile, President Lee Jaemyung has demanded evidence-based reporting on gambling addiction statistics, expressing concern about social destabilisation.
The term “노인활동실” originated among ethnic Koreans in China in the 1990s and later spread to Seoul through migration, becoming coded language for gambling venues
