'60 Illegal Gambling Sites Shut Down': Police Announce Results of First-Half Crackdown

National Police Agency First-Half Crackdown Results

Police shut down 60 illegal gambling sites in the first half of the year

15 billion KRW in criminal proceeds seized through pre-indictment preservation

Approximately 500 online gamblers booked and under investigation

[K-Journal | Reporter Kim Sun-kyu]

Illegal gambling sites have been caught in the police's extensive dragnet. The National Police Agency announced that following a six-month special crackdown on online illegal gambling industries from January to June, they have shut down 60 illegal sites and apprehended 120 individuals, including operators. This figure represents an approximately 15% increase compared to the same period last year, highlighting the persistent and serious spread of illegal online gambling.

Key details and achievements of the crackdown

This operation was led by cyber crime investigation units from regional police agencies across the country. Police focused on dismantling the operational structures of private sites that maintain servers overseas while recruiting domestic users. The seized sites offered various games, including sports betting and ladder games, to lure users. Notably, by tracking criminal proceeds, the police secured approximately 15 billion KRW in assets through pre-indictment preservation, clearly demonstrating that illegal gambling is a structure that cannot reap economic benefits. Furthermore, simple users are also being processed for booking based on the frequency and amount of their gambling, and habitual users are being referred to counseling programs.

Illegal Gambling Operational Tactics and Social Harm

Deceptive operational methods of private online sites

Operators of illegal gambling sites primarily use secure messengers like Telegram to recruit users and employ 'borrowed-name' bank accounts to launder funds. Initially, they may pay out small winnings to gain user trust, only to later encourage high-stakes betting before closing the site—a tactic known as 'eat-and-run.' These methods not only lead to financial ruin for users but also carry high risks of secondary damage, such as personal information theft.

The impact of illegal gambling on society

Experts warn that illegal gambling goes beyond individual deviance, serving as a hotbed for the collapse of household economies and secondary crimes. With even adolescents being exposed to online gambling, social costs are surging. An official from the Korea Center on Gambling Problems and Prevention emphasized, "Illegal gambling has a very high probability of rigged win rates and receives no legal protection. If betting that started out of simple curiosity leads to addiction, it requires immense time and cost to treat."

Future Crackdown Plans and Preventive Measures

Future response direction of authorities

The National Police Agency plans to build on these results by strengthening monitoring of illegal gambling sites in the second half of the year. In particular, they intend to collaborate with the Korea Communications Standards Commission to expedite the blocking of access to illegal sites and work with financial institutions to cut off the flow of illegal funds at the source. Additionally, they plan to accelerate the apprehension of operators based on overseas servers by strengthening international cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies.

The importance of responsible gambling and prevention

Just as important as state-level crackdowns is the improvement of public awareness. The government and related organizations are expanding public campaigns to eradicate illegal gambling and are operating counseling services for those struggling with gambling issues around the clock. It must be recognized that gambling is not a means to guarantee profit and is a criminal act far removed from healthy leisure activities. K-Journal intends to continue reporting on related news, focusing on the regulation of legal gambling industries and addiction prevention education.