South Korea: Racing Authority and Kangwon Land Join Forces Against Gambling Addiction

Significant developments are unfolding in South Korea's gambling sector regarding player protection. The Korea Racing Authority, the governing body for horse racing, and casino operator Kangwon Land have entered into a formal agreement to bolster national systems for preventing and treating gambling addiction. This alliance is not a random occurrence, as the figures from the East Asian nation are both impressive and concerning. While the state-owned Kangwon Land welcomed over 7 million visitors to its High1 Casino last year, the country is grappling with a rise in problematic gambling habits.

The partners plan to establish what they call a practical cooperation network, pooling resources for counseling and prevention. A particularly interesting aspect is the technological approach being pursued. During a meeting at the Hi Healing One center, executives from both organizations discussed the use of artificial intelligence. This technology is intended to help identify suspicious behavior patterns early and offer targeted assistance to those affected. This represents a shift from purely reactive measures toward proactive identification of at-risk groups.

Numbers and facts

The economic weight of the involved actors is massive. The Korea Racing Authority operates several race tracks, including its flagship Seoul venue and tracks in Busan and Jeju. These facilities generated a combined revenue of approximately $4.5 billion in 2024. On the other hand, Kangwon Land is the only casino in South Korea where domestic passport holders are allowed to play. With a record of over 7 million visitors last year, the pressure on the operator to exercise social responsibility has increased. The urgency is highlighted by political statements; in December, President Lee Jae-myung warned that gambling addiction could have terminal consequences for the country.

The younger generation is a primary focus for authorities. In May, the Prime Minister directed regulators to create a safety net for teenage gambling addicts. The prevalence rate of gambling addiction in Korea was about 5.3 percent in 2018, which, according to the National Gambling Control Commission, is two to three times higher than in many other developed nations. It is estimated that there are 1.97 million affected adults, with nearly half a million requiring immediate clinical intervention.

Background

The cooperation between the racing industry and the casino builds on existing infrastructure. The Korea Racing Authority has been operating the U-Can Center network since the late 1990s. These centers provide free prevention counseling, self-diagnosis tools, and psychological treatment. Kangwon Land, meanwhile, opened the High Healing One center last year. Initially intended as a mindfulness retreat, it now features residential treatment facilities for individuals with severe gambling problems. A senior official from Kangwon Land emphasized the importance of this step:

"This is a very responsible and important step for institutions leading the gambling industry. We will continue to expand our boundary-breaking exchanges to establish a healthy entertainment industry culture." - Senior Official, Kangwon Land

A joint forum is already scheduled for September, where IT experts and professionals will gather to refine detection methods using information technology. The goal is to move beyond theory toward applicable solutions for everyday operations in gambling venues.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the development in South Korea serves as an interesting mirror to the local situation. In Germany, the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) regulates the market strictly to prevent excesses like those seen in Korea. While Korea is now discussing AI for early detection, Germany has already established central monitoring systems like LUGAS and OASIS. The deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month and the stake limit of 1 euro per spin for online slots are measures that do not yet exist in this form in Korea. German customers playing in casinos with a GGL license already enjoy protection guaranteed by the whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States. However, the South Korean initiative shows that technological solutions like AI could also become a topic for the future of addiction prevention in Germany to increase the effectiveness of blocking systems.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos with a GGL license are already required to submit comprehensive social concepts. The exchange between different gambling branches, as now practiced in South Korea, is institutionally anchored in Germany by the State Treaty. German operators are obligated to be connected to the cross-sector player blocking system. The fact that international giants like Kangwon Land are now investing heavily in specialized healing centers like High Healing One validates the strict German path of proactive player protection. For licensed providers in Germany, this also represents a competitive advantage over illegal MGA or Curacao providers, as the focus on technological prevention strengthens user trust in the long term.