South Korea's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family plans to strengthen the identification and treatment of teenage gambling addiction. The move follows a sharp increase in young people using specialist support services.
Teenagers accounted for 24.3% of users of the Korea Problem Gambling Agency's treatment services in 2025, up from 6.2% in 2021. The increase has prompted the ministry to focus on improving support from early detection through treatment and rehabilitation.
Gender Equality Minister Won Min-kyong discussed the measures during a visit to the agency in Seoul, where she reviewed its counseling hotline, rehabilitation facilities and other gambling prevention and treatment services.
One priority is improving training for youth counselors and other frontline workers so they can identify signs of gambling addiction earlier and connect teenagers with appropriate specialist services.
The existing Youth Gambling Gatekeeper Program provides five training sessions annually, covering a total of 240 participants. Two specialized instructors are assigned to each session.
The ministry also intends to simplify referral procedures between youth counseling centers and specialized gambling treatment agencies. The changes are aimed at reducing delays for teenagers requiring professional intervention.
Authorities currently conduct an annual survey of first-year middle and high school students to identify those considered at risk of developing gambling problems.
Students identified as requiring assistance can initially receive counseling through youth counseling and welfare centers before being referred to specialist agencies when additional treatment is needed.
Officials also discussed cooperation on a voluntary reporting program for teenagers involved in online gambling.
Won said closer cooperation between youth support organizations and specialized gambling treatment agencies would be necessary to address the issue effectively, with the ministry planning to strengthen prevention, protection and recovery support for young people.
South Korea has also launched a youth cyber gambling prevention campaign featuring famous esports player Faker
