Gambling addiction is on the rise in South Korea...especially among those in their 20s and 30s

It has been found that the number of people receiving treatment for gambling addiction in South Korea has increased over the past five years. In particular, the number of people in their 20s and 30s with gambling addiction has increased by 1,000 compared to last year.
According to documents obtained by Kim Do-eup, a lawmaker from the ruling People Power Party, from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 10,000 people were treated for gambling addiction from 2020 to 2024 (January to November).
The total number of patients who received treatment was 12,702 (including overlaps). The number of patients with gambling addiction was 1,767 in 2020, 2,186 in 2021, 2,442 in 2022, and 2,591 in 2023.
By age, the largest number of deaths were in their 30s (4,476) and 20s (4,441), followed by 1,857 in their 40s, 784 in their teens, and 6 in their 50s.
The order was 96 people in their 20s, 375 people in their 60s, and 73 people over 70. In particular, the number of gambling addicts in their 20s and 30s continues to increase every year.
Rep. Kim said, "The fact that gambling addiction among people in their 20s and 30s continues to increase is a serious reality.
This in itself is a problem, but since gambling can lead to secondary crimes, it is imperative that immediate measures be put in place."