Is online gambling legal in South Korea?

Online gambling is strictly illegal for South Korean citizens. The legal framework, primarily based on the Criminal Code, does not differentiate between online and offline gambling. Both are subject to the same prohibitions and penalties. The South Korean government has taken a firm stance against online gambling, implementing measures to block access to domestic and international gambling websites.

The National Gambling Control Commission is responsible for overseeing the country's gambling policies and works with other government agencies to combat illegal online gambling. While there are a few exceptions for state-run online betting services, such as Sports Toto and Sports Proto, these are the only legal forms of online sports betting available to citizens.

Any other form of online casino gaming, poker, or sports betting is prohibited. The government's enforcement efforts are robust, and individuals caught engaging in illegal online gambling can face fines and even imprisonment. This strict legal environment means that there are no licensed and regulated online casinos operating in South Korea for citizens.