South Korean police have received more than 800 voluntary reports of youth cyber gambling since launching a nationwide reporting program in May. The figures underscore growing concerns over online gambling among minors and its financial consequences.
According to the National Police Agency, 806 cases were reported during the first two months of the initiative, averaging around 14 reports each day. Of those, 629 reports, or 78%, were submitted by the young people themselves, while the remaining 177 came from parents or guardians.
Police said reports increased by 74% in the second month of the program, attributing the rise to awareness campaigns led by School Police Officers (SPOs) and broader public education efforts.
High school students represented 455 cases, or 56% of the total, while 351 cases involved middle school students.
Authorities said the figures reveal the severe financial harm some young people have experienced. On average, reported youths spent around KRW 3m on cyber gambling, while some individuals lost as much as KRW 70m.
Police shared several cases illustrating the extent of the problem. Rather than focusing solely on enforcement, police said the voluntary reporting initiative is designed to connect affected youths with gambling prevention centers, psychiatric addiction treatment and debt adjustment services.
The reporting program, which accepts submissions through the 117 School Violence Report and Counseling Center, will continue until the end of next month as authorities seek to identify more at-risk youths and provide early intervention before gambling-related problems escalate.
South Korea's voluntary reporting program remains open until the end of next month for people under 19 with cyber gambling experience and their guardians
