Minors, illegal sports betting, as well as legal Sports Toto and Betman use, are all illegal.
Strong legal penalties for participation in illegal sports betting... Sports Toto Korea continues to carry out prevention activities aimed at eradicating the use of illegal sports betting by minors.
The Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, the trustee of the Sports Toto voting rights issued by the foundation, noted that Sports Toto Korea is raising awareness and demanding special attention to prevent the spread of illegal sports betting among minors and to prevent harm.
All forms of sports betting, including similar sites imitating the unique games of Sports Toto, 'Toto,' and 'Pro Toto,' are illegal, and the use by minors under the age of 19 is strictly prohibited by law.
Under the current National Sports Promotion Act, it is illegal to sell sports promotion voting rights to minors or provide refunds. Those who violate this may be subject to imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won. In addition, not only operators of illegal gambling sites but also participants in those sites may receive up to five years of imprisonment or fines of up to 50 million won, making special caution for minors necessary.
Recently, minors have easier access to illegal sports betting sites, causing related issues to become a serious social problem. This has been accelerated by the development of smartphones and internet environments. In particular, indiscriminate advertising through social media and online communities is increasing, leading to more cases where some youths engage in illegal gambling out of simple curiosity or expectations of small revenue.
The bigger problem is that the financial damage is not the only consequence. Secondary damages, such as personal information leakage, threats from proxy betting, and involvement in crime, are continually occurring, necessitating urgent social awareness.
The government and related agencies are strengthening crackdowns on illegal sports betting and implementing various systems to block minors' access. However, there are criticisms that merely enforcing crackdowns is not sufficient, as illegal gambling methods are becoming increasingly crafty. Consequently, the need for extensive prevention education and awareness improvement campaigns is growing.
In this regard, a representative from Sports Toto Korea said, 'Illegal sports betting is not a simple game but a clear criminal act and subject to severe legal penalties,' and added, 'We will continue to enhance awareness and carry out prevention activities to block the influx of minors into illegal sports betting.'