Eight Hold'em Pubs Disguised as Restaurants Busted in Gyeongnam, 130 People Referred to Prosecutors

A large number of individuals, including those operating and frequenting gambling establishments disguised as general restaurants in the Gyeongnam region, have been referred to the prosecution.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Unit announced on the 30th that they had cracked down on eight establishments that registered as general restaurants but operated as "Holdem Pubs," collecting exchange fees and other profits. Operators, dealers, and gambling participants?a total of 130 people?were referred for violating the Tourism Promotion Act.

Inside the 'Holdem Pub' caught by the police.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Police Agency]

A Holdem Pub is a compound word combining "Holdem," a type of poker, and "pub," a kind of bar. These establishments charge an entrance fee, provide a venue and chips for the game, and sell alcoholic beverages.

Exchanging chips won in these games for cash or goods is illegal.

Cash seized from the "Holdem Pub" uncovered by the police. [Photo by Gyeongnam Police Agency]

According to the provincial police, these individuals provided a venue for gambling known as "Texas Holdem" and made a total profit of approximately 1 billion won through currency exchanges and other means.

The Gyeongnam police received intelligence that multiple Holdem Pub gambling establishments were operating in the province during a focused crackdown period from March 18 to July 14.

Through subsequent investigations, they identified eight illegal establishments in Changwon, Gimhae, Yangsan, Goseong, and other areas, and secured related evidence such as sales ledgers through search and seizure operations and analysis of deposit and exchange financial accounts.

For the criminal proceeds, the police applied for a pre-indictment preservation order and notified the relevant city, county, and district offices to take administrative action.

Inside the "Holdem Pub," which was reported as a general restaurant in the Gyeongnam area and caught on charges of gambling and currency exchange.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Police Agency]

A representative of the provincial police stated, "For those operating illegal Holdem Pubs that encourage gambling, we will apply the charge of operating a pseudo-casino business under the revised Tourism Promotion Act, which carries harsher penalties than the criminal charge of opening a gambling venue," adding, "We will respond strictly to related crimes by confiscating and collecting criminal proceeds."

They further added, "Anyone gambling at illegal Holdem Pubs can also be criminally punished for gambling, so we urge everyone to exercise particular caution."

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