Gambling is prohibited in and outside of South Korea, although sports betting on local sports events is allowed but only through the government-owned Toto 메이저사이트 (major site), Yet the sports toto offers only parimutuel betting on horse races and fixed odds betting on local sports tournaments like football, cycling, boat races, basketball, baseball, golf and volleyball, authorized as betting products by the SoKor government.
Yet local gamblers do not find odds offered by the government, competitive and not as lucrative as those offered by foreign online bookmakers. One can also say that the prizes are not as exciting when compared to the prize money that can be won from betting at overseas sportsbooks. That is why Toto betting in South Korea’s Sports Toto outlets, is not as widely patronized as the offshore online sportsbooks — despite the nation’s strict gambling laws.
Strict Anti-Gambling Laws in South Korea
Unlike some Asian countries with anti-gambling laws, South Korea is regarded as having the strictest and most rigid policies. The fines and punishment imposed on those found guilty of violating the country’s gambling codes are steep and harsh.
Even foreigners in the country are prohibited from engaging in gambling activities in casinos and in betting shops not authorized by Korean authorities to do business as such. Actually, there are currently eighteen (18) brick and mortar casinos in the country and all are allowed to cater to tourists and foreign nationals visiting or residing in South Korea.
However, as far as Korean citizens are concerned, they can engage in gambling entertainment only at the Kangwon Land Casino, the country’s largest casino integrated in a ski and golf resort in Sapuk-eup, Jeongseongun.
Examples of Fines and Punishment Imposed on Gambling Violators
While gambling operators are criminally charged for violating the country’s gambling laws, anyone caught gambling in illegal gambling establishments in South Korea will be ordered to pay hefty fines and serve time in prison.
A person caught gambling in an unlicensed betting toto shop will be ordered to pay a fine of up to 5 million in Korean won or $4,370 in US dollars.
An individual proven and convicted as a “habitual gambler” may be sent to prison to serve up to 3 years of incarceration as well as pay a fine of 20 million Korean won or $17,840
Safe and Secure Gambling at Online Casinos and Sportsbooks with VPN Support
Although government authorities have ordered Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block offshore online casino and sports betting sites to prevent accessing South Korea’s Internet network, foreign offshore gambling sites offer casino gaming and sports betting through Virtual Private Networks (VPN). This highly advanced communication technology uses encryption in sending and exchanging communications by way of VPN servers.
The more VPN servers that a VPN service provider has in an area, the lesser the possibility that gambling transactions will be detected by local ISPs.