South Korean lawmaker warns over rise in adolescent gambling addiction

Seo Young-seok has called for more attention to the issue.

South Korea.- Data submitted by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service to Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-seok suggests that the number of adolescent gambling addicts in South Korea tripled from 64 in 2022 to 210 last year. 

Seo Young-seok, who is a member of the National Assembly’s health and welfare committee, said a record 156 teenagers received treatment for gambling addiction during the first seven months of this year. Meanwhile, the Korea Problem Gambling Agency reported that youth gambling counselling cases rose from 1,460 in 2022 to 4,144 in 2024 and more than 3,200 in the first eight months of 2025.

Seo criticised the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Integrated Support Center for Addiction Management for focusing primarily on alcohol and not sufficiently addressing gambling harms.

He stated: “Youth illegal gambling is a social addiction problem that cannot be solved by crackdowns alone. This goes beyond harming individuals’ studies and health, leading to family breakdown, crime recurrence and skyrocketing social costs. Expanding specialised treatment facilities for youth, bolstering counselling staff and expanding prevention education in schools and communities are urgently needed.”

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Seo Young-seok has called for more attention to the issue. South Korea.- Data submitted by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service to Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-seok suggests that…