Growing adolescent addiction to online gambling spurs South Korea's government to act

Rehab programmes for online gambling addictions are available, although there is a noticeable lack of medical support; in Korea, the National Centre for Youth Internet Addiction Treatment is the only facility that provides such programmes. 

For 11 nights and 12 days, admission to the state-run rehab camp requires giving up smartphones and other internet-enabled gadgets. Playing sports like basketball, ping pong, or musical instruments exposes participants to the dangers of gambling.

Even though the programme seems brief, teens find it to be quite difficult, and some choose to drop out before it is finished. The National Centre for Youth Internet Addiction Treatment's director, Shim Yong-chool, underlined the everyday fight participants have in restraining themselves from cravings while they are there.

The number of teens seeking medical treatment for gambling addiction increased by 75% between 2018 and 2022, according to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. In just the first eight months of this year, more than 110 young people who were addicted to gambling sought medical attention. 39 out of 353 people arrested under the National Police Agency's special crackdown on online gambling were minors.

According to the 2023 habit diagnosis study conducted by the Gender Equality and Family Ministry, 28,838 teenagers were at danger of engaging in online gambling. Experts attribute the problem to early exposure to digital gadgets and quick internet connection, with the familiarity with the digital environment playing a major role.