Online bingo is strictly prohibited in South Korea under the Korean Criminal Code (Article 246) and the Speculative Acts Regulation Act (1). All forms of gambling, including online bingo, are classified as "speculative activities" and are completely illegal with no exceptions for licensed offshore operators. South Korean gaming laws make no distinction between online and land-based gambling—both are equally prohibited unless explicitly authorized by the government (1). The only legal gambling exceptions are sports betting at government-authorized facilities and lottery games operated by the Korea Lottery Commission.
Individuals caught participating in online bingo face criminal penalties under Article 246 of the Korean Criminal Code, including fines up to KRW 10 million (approximately USD 7,500) for simple gambling offenses, and imprisonment up to three years plus fines up to KRW 20 million (USD 15,000) for habitual gambling (2). Operators who facilitate online bingo are subject to even more severe penalties including imprisonment up to five years or fines up to KRW 30 million. The Tourism Promotion Act was amended in February 2023 to define "casino-like operations," with penalties of up to seven years imprisonment or fines up to KRW 70 million (USD 51,000) for those operating pseudo-casino or illegal online gaming services (2).
"Under Article 246 of the Criminal Act, gambling in South Korea is illegal and forbidden, except for 'small bets placed for fun' and at facilities authorised by the Government. Kangwon Land Casino in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon Province, is the only legal casino in South Korea."
South Korea has implemented aggressive technical and institutional measures to prevent online gambling access, including internet service provider (ISP) blocking of foreign gambling websites and financial institution blocks on transactions with unlicensed gambling platforms (1). The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) actively blocks access to non-Korean websites that enable unlawful gambling. Despite these restrictions, online gambling addiction among teenagers has become a serious concern, with many youth using VPNs to bypass censorship and access offshore platforms. Players should be aware that even accessing offshore platforms licensed in Malta or other jurisdictions remains illegal under South Korean law, and that the government shows no interest in legalizing or regulating online bingo in the foreseeable future. The comprehensive prohibition reflects South Korea's commitment to protecting citizens from gambling addiction while maintaining strict social and legal standards.
Source:
https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/gaming-law-2024/south-korea
https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/25211/south-korea-to-tackle-illegal-gambling-with-new-guidelines
Last updated: 31-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
