The Korea Sports Promotion Foundation’s Sports Lottery and Sports Toto General Division has rolled out two new counseling initiatives aimed at promoting healthier leisure habits among lottery users, as reported by Star News Korea.
The programs mark a shift from a reactive, post-consumption support model to a preventive approach focused on identifying risky behavior patterns before they escalate. Officials said the new structure is designed to encourage responsible participation and reduce the risk of excessive engagement.
The newly introduced “Hopeful Companion Group Counseling Program” is targeted at customers who may need support in regulating their lottery usage. Conducted once a month, the sessions include activities designed to strengthen motivation, explore personal values and develop stress management techniques. The group setting allows participants to share experiences, build mutual empathy and support voluntary behavioral change.
In parallel, the “In-depth Counseling Program” offers multi-session, one-on-one guidance for individuals who require more structured intervention. The program incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to enhance self-regulation skills and improve decision-making related to lottery participation.
A representative from the Sports Lottery and Sports Toto General Division said the initiatives are intended to prevent over-engagement while fostering a healthier usage culture based on voluntary participation.
The move reflects a broader effort to embed responsible gaming practices into the user experience itself, with greater emphasis on early intervention and behavioral awareness rather than remedial action after problems arise.
The group counseling program is held once a month and centers on motivation, personal values and stress management