17 Aug Why is gambling so popular in South Korea?
South Korea’s Love With Gambling
Though South Korea does not have the draw that other Asian countries have such as Japan, they have a lot to offer those who come to visit. There are plenty of casinos for visitors to enjoy while staying at some larger hotels. However, you will not see too many South Korea enjoying the perks. Why? Things like casinos and online gambling on sites like 바둑이매니아 are mostly illegal for citizens. The government believes that South Koreans are likely to develop a gambling problem. However, South Koreans have some legal gambling avenues.
The Ponies
It may come as a surprise to most, but South Koreans enjoy horse racing. Though the sport came to the country for strictly entertainment purposes. Today, about 25% of the country’s population loves spending time at the track. As South Korean horse race has become more competitive, so has its interest as being a sport to bet on. It is one of the most popular things for South Koreans to bet on. It has been legal since 1920.
Lottery fever
Another form of gambling is the lottery. There is always a debate considering if playing the lottery is gambling, but in South Korea, they consider it gambling. Even though the government is afraid of Korean citizens forming an addiction, the same train of thought does not include the lottery. The reason this form of gambling is so popular is that Korean’s consider it good for a person’s mental health. The most popular lotto can easily see over 85 million tickets bought in a week. 75% of the adult population has at least bought one lottery ticket in their lifetime.
Sports betting
There are some sports betting allowed in the country, however, live betting is controlled. South Koreans love to bet on football because it has the most options for betting. However, Korean wrestling is not too far behind. Like with other countries, FIFA World Cup and the Olympics also see their fair share of betting.
Casinos
The money spent in casinos does help to boost the Korean economy, but the money does not come from its citizens. Tourists love to visit the casinos and gamble while in the country. However, Korean citizens are only allowed in one casino, and it is a popular destination for Koreans. The Kangwon Land Casino is South Korea’s largest gambling venue. There are 160 gaming tables and open for 20 hours a day. The government, however, still controls how often one can visit, and those who visit have to pay an admission fee and provide personal information. This has not deterred Koreans from enjoying this popular pastime.
