Nationwide Hold'em Pub Survey Until September... First Meeting of Government Joint TF

Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Gambling in Hold'em Pubs from August to December
Promotion of Notification System for 'Youth Harmful Establishments'

The Integrated Supervisory Commission for Gambling Industry under the Prime Minister (Chairman Oh Gyun, hereinafter referred to as ISC) announced on the 20th that it held the first meeting of the government joint 'Hold'em Pub Illegal Response Task Force (TF)' at the Government Seoul Office.

Illegal Hold'em pub caught by the police.
[Photo by Busan Police Agency]

The TF was formed as a follow-up measure to the response plan for illegal gambling at Hold'em pubs discussed at the meeting of ministers related to national issues chaired by the Prime Minister. The ISC, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, National Police Agency, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety participate in the TF.

At the meeting, department-specific action plans and implementation schedules to eradicate illegal activities within Hold'em pubs were discussed.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will investigate the operational status and overall game operation methods of Hold'em pub businesses registered as restaurants by September. In addition, in cooperation with the ISC and the National Police Agency, it will analyze cases of violations of the Food Sanitation Act in Hold'em pubs, court precedents, and from September, conduct guidance and publicity through local governments and related associations.

The National Police Agency will conduct intensive crackdowns on illegal gambling activities within Hold'em pubs from August to December. Exchanging chips for cash or prizes is a clear illegal act. Business operators may be subject to charges of establishing a gambling house and violations of compliance requirements under the Food Sanitation Act, while users may be charged with gambling offenses. The National Police Agency will also revise the notification by December to raise the 'reward for arresting offenders' under the crime of establishing a gambling house to a maximum of 5 million KRW.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will introduce a prohibition clause against casino-like acts in the Tourism Promotion Act. Once the law is amended, the ISC will be able to monitor illegal gambling in Hold'em pubs, and whistleblowers may receive rewards of up to 50 million KRW. The punishment level for illegal acts in Hold'em pubs will also be stipulated as 'imprisonment for up to 7 years or a fine of up to 70 million KRW,' which is higher than the existing crime of establishing a gambling house under the Criminal Act.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family plans to promulgate a notification designating Hold'em pubs as harmful establishments to youth by December.

Chairman Oh Gyun of the ISC stated, "We will continue to implement guidance, monitoring, and crackdowns jointly with the government and strive to have related laws amended in the National Assembly as soon as possible."