At least six South Korean teenagers struggling with gambling addiction have utilized a recent amnesty window to surrender to authorities.
According to officers, the group—comprising one high school and five middle school students—confessed to gambling-related offenses and self-reported their misconduct, as covered by the Busan Ilbo newspaper.
The clemency initiative, introduced by police in South Gyeongsang Province in December, concluded on February 28. Law enforcement assured addicted youths of lenient treatment if they admitted to gambling crimes within this timeframe.
Authorities declared the drive a success and committed to rolling out another comparable program later in the year.
Gambling Amnesty: Police to Launch New Campaign
Police stated the students heeded calls to action featured in promotional materials distributed across the province. The amnesty was advertised on digital billboards and within public transit systems.
The Jinju branch of the Nonghyup commercial bank participated by displaying campaign messages on the screens of 2,106 ATMs.
Officers noted that three of the middle schoolers were friends. One from this group came forward first, subsequently persuading the other two to follow suit.
Investigations verified that all six youths had placed wagers on online gambling sites, which are prohibited in South Korea.
The teen who spent the least confessed to bets amounting to 200,000 won ($136). In contrast, the biggest spender in the group reported a total of 11 million won (approximately $7,500).
Police indicated further inquiries will be made before determining subsequent actions. Youths deemed at low risk of reoffending may be released under certain conditions, while habitual offenders could be subject to summary trials or indictment.
An official said psychologists were enlisted to evaluate the mental well-being of the six teenagers. All will undergo a counseling program at a specialized facility, the official added.
The guidance will also emphasize preventing a return to gambling-related activities.
Confess & Receive Leniency, Say Officers
“We intend to extend the maximum possible leniency to juveniles who voluntarily confess their crimes, even after the official reporting period has ended,” stated an official from the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency’s Youth Protection Division.
“We plan to evaluate the amnesty’s outcomes and initiate a fresh campaign in the latter half of this year,” the official added.
Earlier this month, a South Korean broadcaster reported uncovering evidence of teenagers using borrowed or stolen identification to bet on sporting events.
The report said youths were accessing Sports Toto platforms to place wagers. Sports Toto is the nation’s sole legal sports betting operator, offering pool betting on various matches with a daily cap of 100,000 won ($67).
Additionally, a major survey of Seoul schoolchildren this year revealed that 2% of elementary school students have engaged in gambling. The study also found that 70% of children who confessed to gambling were male.