Police Intensify Crackdown on Illegal Gambling at Hold'em Pubs... Principle of Arrest and Investigation of Owners Maintained

The National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters (Guksubon) announced on the 17th that it will intensively crack down on illegal gambling activities at businesses such as Hold'em pubs (places where people enjoy card games while drinking) for four months starting from the 18th.

The National Police Agency has decided to focus its efforts this year on "protecting the peaceful daily lives of the people" and has declared the eradication of gambling crimes as "Public Promise No. 5."

During the crackdown period, the police plan to focus on proving the criminal charges of all related parties including business owners, money exchangers, recruiters, and gamblers, and to confiscate criminal proceeds to prevent recidivism.

The main offenders, the business owners, will be strictly dealt with, including arrest and investigation as a principle, and if the crimes are found to be organized, charges of forming a criminal organization will also be actively applied.

In particular, the police intend to closely examine irregular illegal activities such as the issuance of seed tickets (entry tickets) by Hold'em pub operators and illegalities in the operation of poker tournaments. Although seed tickets cannot be exchanged for cash within Hold'em pubs, they can be converted into cash at any time through private transactions, raising issues of illegality.

The police will actively apply the recently amended Tourism Promotion Act. The revised law allows various illegal acts, which were previously punishable only as the crime of establishing a gambling house, to be punished as acts similar to casino operations.

Those who engage in acts similar to casino operations face imprisonment for up to 7 years or a fine of up to 70 million KRW. This is a higher level of punishment compared to the crime of establishing a gambling house under the Criminal Act, which carries a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million KRW.

To exert comprehensive pressure on illegal gambling operations, cooperation with related agencies will be strengthened through public campaigns, reward incentives, and enhanced tip-offs.

A National Police Agency official stated, "We will prepare thoroughly before the intensive crackdown by collecting tips and reviewing related reports, and will avoid indiscriminate crackdowns on businesses operating legally. Gamblers who voluntarily surrender will be subject to discretionary sentence reductions, so we urge them to actively report to the nearest police station."