South Korea's Gambling Control Commission has outlined plans to strengthen community-based gambling addiction prevention and treatment services. The plans follow its 2026 Gambling Industry Policy Forum in Seoul.
Held at the National Library of Korea, the forum brought together government officials, gambling industry representatives, academics and regional treatment providers to review the country's existing gambling harm response system.
Discussions focused on improving the effectiveness of regional support centers as gambling participation patterns evolve, particularly amid growing concerns about gambling-related harm among young people and military personnel.
The commission highlighted the need for earlier identification of individuals experiencing gambling problems, alongside more coordinated support covering counseling, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery.
A central proposal involved developing regional centers into community support hubs, connecting their specialist services with schools, local governments, mental health organizations and social welfare agencies.
Suwon University Professor Lee Eun-jin presented recommendations for a community-centered gambling harm prevention and treatment framework, including potential institutional reforms.
Meanwhile, Lee Seung-hee, Director of the Daejeon and Chungnam Regional Center, examined operational challenges facing regional centers and proposed improvements to their services and responsibilities.
A subsequent panel discussion brought together representatives from education, mental health, addiction management and the Korea Racing Authority to consider how agencies could coordinate services more effectively.
Participants emphasized the importance of clearly defining institutional responsibilities and establishing referral networks to ensure individuals can access continued support throughout their recovery.
Gambling Control Commission Chairman Choi Byung-hwan said the changing gambling environment required a reassessment of whether existing prevention and treatment measures were meeting public needs.
The commission plans to review recommendations from the forum and incorporate relevant findings into future policy improvements.
These efforts will focus on strengthening regional centers' capabilities and establishing closer links between prevention programs, professional treatment services and community-based recovery support.
The Gambling Control Commission has overseen gambling harm prevention efforts since 2007
