South Korea Laws Fail to Keep Children from Online Casinos

The South Korean Ministry for Health, Welfare, and Family Affairs released results of a survey showing more than a third of teenagers have gambled online, despite the activity being illegal.

A study by a South Korean government agency revealed the country's laws against online gambling have not prevented kids from betting at online casinos. The South Korean Ministry for Health, Welfare, and Family Affairs released results of a survey showing more than a third of teenagers have gambled online, despite the activity being illegal.

Like the UIGEA in the US, Korean government policy has been to ban Internet gambling to protect children from possible exposure. But thirty-seven percent of adolescents responded that they have visited online casinos.

The study also showed a rise in the numbers visiting pornographic websites, and an increases in sexual activity, drinking, and pregnancy.

The South Korean government responded in a fashion which would make the US government proud. Rather than admit prohibition is a failed tactic, Korea is moving to further restrict the availability of adult content.

Problem gambling observers say a better move may be to concentrate efforts on education. Removing the magical attraction of gambling by stripping it of its attractive forbidden quality would help defuse teen interest, says counselor Paul Rodman.

"The law hasn't blocked access to gaming sites. And telling children not to go there only results in them, of course, going there. So they need to be shown the truth of gambling, with the distracting lights removed and the probability of losing made clear," said Rodman.