Even Playing Go-Stop Among Relatives for Fun Is Legitimate Gambling... So What Are the Punishment Standards?

Low Likelihood of Gambling Charges... High Risk of Addiction Requires Caution

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] “Isn’t Go-Stop with 100-won points not gambling?”

During the Chuseok holiday, Park Suhan (34), who returned to his hometown, gathered with his cousins for dinner and played a game after a long time. The “Jeombak Go-Stop (Hwatu card game with 100-won per point)” spread out on a green blanket. It started simply for fun, but as the night deepened, the stakes rose to 200 won, then 500 won. The overheated atmosphere was barely calmed by the middle school nephew’s question, “Isn’t Hwatu gambling?”

This is a common scene seen across the country during holiday breaks. However, there is ongoing debate about whether Go-Stop played among family members should be considered gambling.

Strictly speaking, Go-Stop played with family or relatives is considered a clear act of “gambling.” Gambling includes all acts of betting money or valuables on uncertain outcomes.

However, whether holiday Go-Stop legally constitutes punishable gambling depends on the situation.

Article 246 of the Criminal Act states that “a person who gambles shall be punished by a fine not exceeding 10 million won,” but exempts cases that are “merely occasional amusement.” However, there is no clear regulation on the extent to which “occasional amusement” is allowed.

Generally, courts distinguish between gambling crimes and simple occasional amusement based on factors such as the place and time of gambling, the gambler’s occupation, the size of the stakes, the circumstances leading to gambling, and habitualness. The common interpretation is that if the stakes are not excessively high and the game is played just for fun, the likelihood of being punished for gambling during holiday Go-Stop is low.

Nonetheless, regardless of whether one is punished for “gambling,” experts emphasize the need to be cautious about “gambling addiction” even with simple Go-Stop played with family.

Holiday Go-Stop also has the characteristics of gambling, so there is a considerable possibility that what starts as fun can lead to addiction.

In particular, Go-Stop is one of the most familiar and easily accessible forms of gambling around us. Despite this, few people are aware of Go-Stop addiction.

Experts stress that Go-Stop should be regarded as genuine gambling and enjoyed only for fun, not with the aim of winning money. They warn that the thrilling experience of winning money can easily develop into gambling addiction, so awareness and caution are necessary.

A representative from the Korea Center on Gambling Problems Management said, “Most people think they are not addicted to gambling and unrelated to it, but anyone can become addicted to gambling,” adding, “If enjoyed for fun, it is a good game, but if not, problems arise, so it is important to cultivate self-control habits.”