Blocking rate hits record low at 13% as arrest rate also plunges
Min Hyungbae urges comprehensive measures for blocking, apprehension, and rehabilitation
Min Hyungbae, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.
Concerns are mounting that the number of people suffering from gambling addiction will reach an all-time high, as the government's ability to block and crack down on illegal sports betting websites has weakened.
On October 7, Min Hyungbae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gwangsan-eul, Gwangju), analyzed data submitted by the National Gambling Control Commission for the National Assembly audit. According to the analysis, there were 27,622 reports of illegal sports betting websites filed by August this year, but only 3,855 sites were actually blocked, resulting in a processing rate of just 13.95%.
This figure is significantly lower than the 47.63% in 2023 and 61.65% in 2024, making it difficult for the government to avoid criticism that its response system is failing to function properly as the methods used by illegal gambling sites become increasingly sophisticated.
The arrest rate for offenders, which is an indicator of enforcement efficiency, has also plummeted. While the arrest rate was maintained at a high level-89.1% in 2023 and 91.3% in 2024-it has dropped to 56.4% this year. This decline is interpreted as a result of illegal gambling operators employing more advanced concealment techniques, coupled with a shortage of investigative personnel, making arrests more difficult. Assemblyman Min’s criticism that a stable response system is not functioning at any stage-reporting, blocking, or apprehension-clearly illustrates the current ineffective enforcement reality.
This paralysis of enforcement functions is directly translating into increased harm for the public. According to the National Gambling Control Commission, a total of 60,566 people have used counseling and treatment services for illegal gambling over the past three years, from 2023 to the present. As of August this year, 15,508 people have already used treatment services, and if the current trend continues, the number is likely to reach an all-time high by the end of the year.
The number of patients receiving medical treatment for gambling addiction is also rising sharply. After recording 2,743 cases in 2023 and 3,391 in 2024, the number has already reached 2,756 as of August this year, indicating that the annual total will likely set a new record. This has heightened concerns about the increased risk of secondary crimes, such as family breakdown and fraud, amplifying anxiety throughout society.
Assemblyman Min emphasized, "Illegal sports betting is a comprehensive problem that involves addiction, family financial ruin, and social costs," and urged, "The government must urgently establish comprehensive measures that encompass proactive blocking, offender apprehension, and rehabilitation for addicts."
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