Government Launches Youth Cyber Gambling Voluntary Reporting System to Support Recovery and Rehabilitation

Six Government Agencies Sign Joint Business Agreement on May 14

Connection to Specialized Rehabilitation Centers and Ongoing Post-Support

Leniency for Voluntary Reporters... Support for Victims of Illegal Private Lending

The government will implement a nationwide voluntary reporting system for youth cyber gambling from this month through the end of August, spanning three months. The system targets minors under the age of 19 who have experience with cyber gambling, as well as their guardians. All reports will be accepted through the 117 School Violence Reporting and Counseling Center.

Yonhap News Agency

The Ministry of Education, the National Police Agency, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Gambling Industry Supervisory Commission, the Financial Services Commission, and the Financial Supervisory Service signed a joint business agreement on May 14 and will launch the youth cyber gambling voluntary reporting system starting May 18.

Recently, gambling-related crimes among youth have continued to rise. There have even been cases where minors, in order to obtain gambling funds, turn to illegal loans or become involved in secondary crimes such as fraud and theft.

The government plans to link prevention and response policies for youth cyber gambling, which were previously dispersed across different agencies, to provide one-stop support throughout the entire process—from the point of report and counseling to rehabilitation and return to daily life, as well as relief for damages caused by illegal private financing.

The voluntary reporting system was piloted in 2024, starting with the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency and expanding to a total of eight regional police agencies. All 512 youth identified through the pilot program were connected to gambling rehabilitation programs. As a result, the re-gambling rate within three months was only 0.8% (four individuals), demonstrating the positive effects of the voluntary reporting system in both rehabilitation and prevention of cyber gambling.

The voluntary reporting system will be in effect for approximately three months, from May 18 to August 31. The program is open to minors under the age of 19 who have engaged in cyber gambling, as well as their guardians. All reports will be accepted through the 117 School Violence Reporting and Counseling Center.

Once a report is received, school police officers and professional gambling rehabilitation counselors will conduct counseling and screening for the individuals involved, and, based on the results, refer them to specialized addiction treatment institutions.

When determining the police-level disciplinary action, the authorities will comprehensively consider factors such as the amount gambled, the individual’s level of remorse, and the degree of participation in treatment. In addition, a joint review and decision will be made by the Guidance Review Committee, which includes external experts, with the intention of providing leniency whenever possible.

School police officers and professional counselors from the Korea Center on Gambling Problems will jointly provide ongoing counseling and aftercare for the youth involved.

Youth who have suffered damages by using illegal private financing will be connected to comprehensive, dedicated support services provided by the financial authorities. In particular, youth should be aware that proxy loans with an annual interest rate exceeding 60% are invalid, not only for the interest but also for the principal. They are under no obligation to repay either the interest, service fees, or even the principal demanded as compensation for such proxy loans.

The government will continue to raise awareness among youth and parents by distributing online newsletters and leaflets, as well as carrying out ongoing publicity efforts.

Minister of Education Choi Kyojin stated, "We will strengthen school-centered preventive education and expand publicity and guidance regarding the voluntary reporting system to actively protect students." Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Minkyoung emphasized, "We will ensure that all youth receive counseling and support without discrimination through careful attention."

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