Why Is Gambling Illegal In Korea
Korea is one of a small number of countries in the world that differentiates Korean citizens and foreigners with regard to the legality of gambling via the gambling locale. Casino gambling, for Koreans, is legally prohibited in all but one casino. However, foreigners may gamble in a variety of casinos located in most major tourist cities.
Gambling Syndicates in Korea. In 2016, Seoul officials successfully broke up one of the largest illegal gambling rings in the nation. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency raided seven apartments housing illegal gambling operations. During the raid, the police caught seven gang members, 69 staff persons, and 11 gamblers. Gambling in Korea is heavily regulated to the point where it is essentially illegal for Korean nationals on Korean soil. The only casino in Korea at which it is legal for Korean citizens to gamble is Gangwon Land. A small cramped casino located out in the middle of nowhere so that it would discourage gamblers; it is filled to capacity every night. Whereas South Koreans can gamble on an array of games including a lottery, horse racing, boat racing and cycling, casino gambling is illegal — even for Koreans who travel outside the country. As pointed out in South Korea you can find two legal ways in order to guess footballing, baseball, basketball, football, golf and Ssirum. These kind of alternatives are Activities Toto (pari-mutuel betting) in addition to Athletics Proto (fixed chances betting). The proliferation of gambling addicts in Sabuk is serving as a warning for lawmakers in South Korea — and more recently Japan — enticed by the potential for tax revenues and economic gains.
Korean criminal law applies to Korean citizens throughout the world, Thus, Korean citizens are, even, prohibited from gambling outside of Korea. Prosecution, for overseas gambling by Koreans, sometimes occurs, however, these prosecutions are, usually, part of a more substantial allegation against the individual.
The, only, exception, for Koreans, to the Gambling Laws is casino gambling at Kangwon Land. The Special Act on the Assistance to Development of Abandoned Mines established the legal framework for the development of the Kangwon Land casino and the law and related laws allows Koreans to patronize this casino. The casino is in a remote area a few hours South of Seoul.
Foreigners, however, may gamble at any legally established casino in Korea. The Tourism Promotion Law established the legal framework that has allowed the establishment of casinos throughout Korea for the use by, solely, foreigners.
Why Is Gambling Illegal In Korea State
Koreans have the opportunity, within Seoul and in many major cities, to gamble via lotteries, ToTo, horse racing, powerboat racing, and cycle racing only.
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Sean Hayes may be contacted at: [email protected] Sean is co-chair of the Korea Practice Team at IPG Legal. He is the first non-Korean attorney to have worked for the Korean court system (Constitutional Court of Korea) and one of the first non-Koreans to be a regular member of a Korean law faculty. Sean is ranked, for Korea, as one of only two non-Korean lawyers as a Top Attorney by AsiaLaw. Sean is known for his proactive New York-style street-market advice and his aggressive and non-conflicted advocacy.
Sean works with some of the leading retired judges, prosecutors and former government officials working in Korea.
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