Prosecutor General's Office Orders Maximum Legal Penalty for 'Youth Online Illegal Gambling Crimes'

'Principle of Detention Investigation' for Operating Gambling Sites Targeting Adolescents

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office has instructed local prosecutors' offices to take strict action against 'crimes related to illegal online gambling among youth.'

Seoul Seocho-dong Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

On the 15th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced that it has directed that those who operate gambling sites primarily targeting youth, those involved in such operations, and distributors who recruit youth as members of gambling sites be subject to arrest and investigation as a principle, and that the maximum legal penalties be sought.

In addition, for operators of illegal online gambling sites, investigations are to be conducted applying charges not only for operating gambling establishments but also for tax evasion and organized crime group formation to ensure substantial punishment.

The prosecution notes that even if someone is convicted of operating gambling establishments, the sentences are not severe, leading to a widespread perception of "serving a few years and then being free." However, if charged with tax evasion, sentences of life imprisonment or imprisonment of five years or more can be imposed when the evaded tax amount exceeds 1 billion won, and fines amounting to 2 to 5 times the evaded tax can also be mandatorily imposed, which is expected to have a real effect on recovering criminal proceeds.

Previously, as youth addiction to illegal online gambling and subsequent secondary crimes became serious social issues, the Ministry of Justice led the launch of the 'Inter-Ministerial Task Force for Eradicating Illegal Online Gambling Among Youth.'

Furthermore, the prosecution plans to guide youth offenders through a 'conditional suspension of indictment with gambling addiction prevention counseling and education,' enabling the younger generation to overcome gambling addiction and return to normal life.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.