Today, in our rundown of the gambling industry in South Korea, we’re gonna chat about the legal gambling scene and what games are riding high on popularity. We’ll dive into the top-notch online casinos that roll out the red carpet for South Korean players, and let you in on our playbook for picking a solid casino. We’re also gonna unpack the bonuses that South Korean players can snag and give you the lowdown on sports betting and lotteries. And hey, don’t you worry, we won’t leave you hanging on the most convenient payment systems that grease the wheels for depositing into online casinos. Oh, and we’ve got a whole chapter dedicated to the cryptocurrency buzz. But hold up, don’t think we’d forget the scoop on the plethora of swanky South Korean land-based casinos.
Best Online Casinos For Korean People
When it comes to online casinos, the government’s giving ’em the cold shoulder, way colder than their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Playing online on South Korean soil is a no-no, so the Koreans are rolling the dice at offshore casinos.
However, the foreign sites aren’t a piece of cake to access either – the government often slams the door on them. Either way, if you’re looking to play in a primo casino that’s welcoming South Korean players, then keep an eye on our list:
Gambling games in South Korea have a pretty long history. Some of these games date back to the 15th century and were influenced by neighboring countries like China and Japan. But the real deal kicked off in the latter half of the 20th century.
In 1967, the pivotal Tourism Promotion Act paved the way for brick-and-mortar casinos, with a twist – only foreigners could join the party. The local population was locked out until 1995, when the Law on the Support of Abandoned Mine Areas Development was passed. After this law, the Gangwonland Casino was built south of Seoul in 2000, and it wasn’t just open to foreigners, but also to Korean citizens.
Another game-changer came in the 90s with the establishment of the state organization SportsToto. This gave the green light for betting on various sports like soccer and baseball.
Legality and regulation of gambling
Right now, the landscape for online gambling is a real mixed bag. Despite having over 15 casinos nationwide, South Korean citizens can only legally set foot in one – Gangwonland Casino. All the other joints are off-limits, exclusively for foreign tourists. Online casinos are also in the no-go zone, with the government blocking access and even keeping tabs on regular players, dishing out various fines.
Legally, you can place sports bets with the state bookmaker SportsToto, but not all sports are on the table, and there’s a cap on bets (around 100,000 South Korean Won). It’s a similar story with online poker. The government is hell-bent on blocking access to various sites like PokerStars or 888Poker, but savvy citizens don’t let that rain on their parade – they use VPNs and e-wallets to make deposits.
Choosing the best online casinos in Korea
For all you online casino enthusiasts in South Korea, there’s a whole playground waiting for you, ’cause there’s a bunch of international online casinos open for business. But hold your horses, you gotta know how to separate the cream from the chaff when it comes to casinos. Don’t sweat it, though – we’re about to drop some knowledge.
In a nutshell, pay attention to some key aspects like having a legit license, user reviews, and the sweet array of bonuses for players. And don’t forget, a top-notch casino will always have user-friendly deposit methods and a support crew that’s on point, giving you the 411 ASAP and sorting out any hiccups. Now, let’s break down each of these aspects a bit more.
Legality and Safety
Since South Korean players are sashaying into offshore online casinos, it’s crucial to know the licenses these big shots are waving around. Before you jump in, peep if they’re rocking a valid license and who gave it the green light. The big shots in the license game are MGA and Curacao. Those are the sites we’re giving a nod to on our list.
User Feedback
Player opinions are the golden ticket to figuring out if a casino’s the real deal or just smoke and mirrors. You can get the scoop on dedicated sites and various forums. Since online casino action is a no-go on South Korean turf, local sites often get the boot. We prefer reading reviews on international sites like casino.guru. South Korean players can hit up the Korean version of the site, kr.casino.guru.
Bonuses & Promotions
Always give a once-over to the marketing shindigs on offer at online casinos. We do the hustle by hopping around different sites and comparing their bonus vibes. Players usually get a warm welcome with welcome bonuses, plus regular rewards and, of course, ranking systems. We’ll dish out the juicy deets on all that in the relevant section.
Payment Systems
With online casinos getting the cold shoulder in Korea, banking transactions can be a bit of a maze. That’s why good casinos always come prepared with alternative deposit methods, like various e-wallets and cryptocurrencies. This is a biggie ’cause it’s all about your convenience, so we’re giving it some extra TLC.
Customer Service
In a top-notch casino, round-the-clock customer support is a given. They should be quick on the draw and informative, ready to dish out info or tackle a problem in record time. Oh, and it’s a no-brainer – they’ve gotta speak Korean to avoid any lost-in-translation fiascos.
Mobile Adaptation
More and more Koreans are swapping their desktops for mobiles. These pocket rockets are great for quick deposits and getting your game on. So, any legit casino worth its salt will have a mobile-friendly version of its site that’s just as slick and easy to use as the desktop one.
Bonuses and promotions for Korean players
Hey there, all you gamers in South Korea, get ready for some sweet deals ’cause there’s a smorgasbord of bonuses waiting just for you. We’re talking welcome packages, regular reloads, and of course, those VIP schemes that slide your way as you play. And let’s not forget about races and tournaments, hosted by both the casino and different providers. We’re about to spill the beans on all these bonus goodies, so buckle up!
Welcome Bonus
Most South Korean online casinos are rolling out the red carpet for you with some nice bonuses. They’re yours right after signing up, and most of the time, you won’t need any promo code mumbo jumbo to cash in.
Regular Player Bonuses
Regular players are in for even more treats. Check this out – the hip Spinbetter casino in South Korea is serving up these kinds of bonuses:
VIP System – a whopping 8 tiers of cashback and exclusive perks as you climb the ladder
Loyalty Bonus – when you’re dropping your tenth deposit, they’ll sprinkle an extra 50% onto your deposit sum and toss in 100 free spins
Reload Bonus – every Wednesday, you’re getting a juicy +50% boost on your deposit and up to 100 free spins, just like that
Birthday Bonus – score yourself 20 free spins daily for a whole week after your big day
Races and Tournaments
Now, let’s talk about some high-octane action – races and tournaments! These bad boys are often thrown by the casino itself, teaming up with top-notch providers. Any player can dive into these showdowns. Rules are a breeze – just play specific games and rack up those points. The players landing the top spots on the leaderboard snatch up some wicked prizes. Shout-out to the providers who’re big shots in the tournament game, like Pragmatic Play, Mancala Gaming, MGA Games, and True Lab.
Sports betting in Korea
The sports betting scene in South Korea is no joke. For a long time, the only legal bets in town were on horse racing. But thanks to the all-mighty SportsToto, things have shaken up. Now, other big-shot sports like football, baseball, and more are up for grabs. The official bookie has a few strings attached – like capping your bets at 100,000 Won. As a result, plenty of Koreans are leaning towards those international bookmakers. Some of the heavy hitters include Mr.Play Sport, 22Bet, Sportaza, and MostBet.
Sports itself is a mega hit in South Korea, with a solid infrastructure that gets tons of Koreans in the game. As for the top dogs in the sports scene, look no further than:
Baseball – it’s like the superstar sport in South Korea. They got this national league, the Korean Professional Baseball League (KPBL), that kicked off back in ’82. On the world stage, Korea’s flexin’ as one of the top dogs, scooping up wins in all kinds of international showdowns and snatching those gold medals at the Olympics.
Football – another one of those Western sports, and Korea’s holding its own. This sport scored some major street cred after ’02, when their national team made it to the World Cup semis. With moves like that, they’re calling the Korean squad the top dogs among all the Asian teams.
Golf – that fancy sport that’s got status written all over it. They got both guys and gals swingin’ in Korea. And guess what? The ladies are bringing in the big wins. Golf stepped up its game when Korean champ Yang Yong-eun aced the 2009 PGA Championship.
Basketball – here comes another sport that’s shootin’ to the top in South Korea. They got their own hoop action goin’ on, the Korean Basketball League (KBL). Out of all the Asian teams, South Korea’s the heavyweight champ, snaggin’ 25 medals from all sorts of Asian championships.
Esports – South Korea’s riding the wave of progress like nobody’s business. They couldn’t ignore the gaming trends, so they’re hosting showdowns in all sorts of disciplines right in their own backyard. The top dogs are duking it out with players from other countries, bagging wins left and right. And the headliner? It’s none other than StarCraft, takin’ the crown as the crowd favorite.
Convenient payment systems
In South Korea, there are a large number of ways to fund your online casino account. Many people still use bank cards, but this can be problematic due to the illegality of online casinos. The solution is to use various e-wallets and cryptocurrencies. Below we will tell you more about popular alternatives to bank cards:
Foreign Banks
If you’re lookin’ to load up your online casino funds straight from your card without the hassle, you better cozy up to a foreign bank. Trust me, trying to make that move with a South Korean bank card is like banging your head against a brick wall.
E-wallets
It’s the easiest solution for sorting out those casino deposits. E-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, Venus Point, Payco, and Toss play middleman. Just stash some cash in those e-wallets using any bank card, and then you’re free to shuffle those funds around – say, into your online casino account. But hold up, some e-wallets might be playing favorites with non-Korean wallets, causing a bit of a fuss.
Cryptocurrencies
The slickest, speediest way to bankroll your casino adventures. Lightning-fast and totally undercover, more South Korean players are hopping on the crypto train. Just grab some crypto, shoot it over to the address they give you, and in just 5-10 minutes, you’re locked in and ready to roll!
NOTIFY Cryptocurrency in South Korea is legit, even though it ain’t labeled as a digital asset or virtual currency. Legally, it’s under tight control – or rather, the sellers are. We’re talkin’ about those Korean crypto exchanges like Bithumb, Upbit, Coinone, Korbit, and the whole crew. They gotta have accounts in Korean banks and they’re gotta be constantly reportin’ any suspicious transactions.
Now, there are two state honchos regulating this market: the Financial Supervisory Service of South Korea (FSS) and the Financial Services Commission (FSC). Lately, they put the kibosh on anonymous crypto buying and selling on Korean exchanges. You wanna get in the game? Full-on AML/KYC process is the name of the game, and you best have a bank account to boot.
Popular gambling providers in Korea
In South Korea, a bunch of big names are hot in demand. Koreans are a real gambling bunch, so they’re all about those slots that come with a shot at a serious payday. Table games and cards ain’t no slouch either – think blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and the whole shebang. Here’s a rundown of providers who’ve got the Korean crowd in the palm of their hand:
NetEnt
This famous Swedish provider is all the rage for their diverse range of slots. Their games pack a punch with loads of cool mechanics and juicy progressive jackpots – no wonder they’re a hit with Korean players.
Asia Gaming
Major player in the live game scene in Asia. These folks came up with innovative stuff like Pre-dealing 6 cards and VIP Private Room, which Asian players are totally eating up.
Evolution Gaming
If Asia Gaming’s the big shot for live games in Asia, Evolution Gaming is the global top dog. Their live dealer games come in all flavors, catering to every taste out there. Beyond the classics, they’ve got special versions like Lighting Roulette and Lighting Blackjack. Oh, and don’t forget their exclusive game shows, too.
Playtech
They’re one of the OGs, kickin’ it since ’98. Their lineup’s got a load of online slots and software for poker rooms, bingo, and live dealer action.
Quickspin
These guys are known for their easily recognizable interface. They whip up games in all sorts of themes, packed with intriguing mechanics. The variety and their Asian-themed slots have made them a hit with South Korean players, no doubt about it.
Land-based casinos in Korea
In South Korea, there’s a whole bunch of brick-and-mortar casinos – over 17 of ’em, to be precise. Sadly, most of these joints are off-limits to the locals, catering to foreign tourists instead. Let’s take a peek at a few popular casinos, including one spot that’s open for Korean players.
Kangwon Land – This casino sits south of Seoul, in Kangwon Province. Back in the day, this place was coal central, boasting a heap of coal mines that fueled the entire country. But as time rolled on, those coal reserves ran dry, and Korea switched to cleaner fuels. That hit the province hard, plunging it into an economic crisis. Then along came Kangwon Land Casino, a game-changer that opened its doors to both foreigners and Koreans, breathing life back into the region.
In October 2000, Kangwon Land swung its doors open for foreigners and local Koreans. It started with a 200-room hotel and a gaming zone with 30 tables and 480 slot machines. Fast-forward, and now they’ve got two hotels with 500 rooms each, a golf course, a ski resort, over 200 gaming tables, and a whopping 1300+ slot machines. But hey, you gotta be at least 19 to roll the dice in this casino. There’s also a special historical park on the premises, giving you a dose of South Korean history, plus a few cinemas to catch a flick.
Alpensia Casino and Resort – Another big casino, set up in Tagwanryeong-myeon village, Gangwon Province. The catch is, only foreigners get a piece of this action. They’ve got not one but two hotels on the premises: Holiday Inn and Intercontinental. Inside the casino, they’ve got different gaming zones, with 20+ tables and 50 slots. This joint covers over 6,000 square feet, including a scenic park, plenty of dining spots, and even some fancy-pants spas.
Lotteries and other gambling entertainment in Korea
Lotteries are one of the few forms of gambling that get the green light all across South Korea. Nanum Lotto is the big shot in the lottery game, running the show. Every game they run is clean as a whistle and regulated by the World Lottery Association Responsible Gaming Framework (WLA-RGF). The story kicked off in 2008, after they snagged ISO 27001/9001 certification and a nod from the World Lottery Association (WLA). But the roots go a bit deeper – before Nanum Lotto, they were known as Lotto 6/45, in action since 2002.
The star of the lottery scene is the classic game, where you gotta pick six numbers from 1 to 45. A ticket costs you 1000 KRW. Now, the jackpot isn’t fixed; it grows with the number of tickets sold, making up 75% of the total prize pool. It’s a progressive jackpot that rolls over up to three times before trickling down to the lower prize tiers if no one scores it. There are five prize tiers in total, and the cash prize grows as you nail more numbers.
Prize category
Number of matches
Chances of winning
1
6
1 : 8 145 060
2
5 + bonus ball
1 : 1 357 510
3
5
1 : 35 725
4
4
1 : 733
5
3
1 : 11
Just like with most gambling games, you gotta be 19 years old to join the party. Snagging a ticket is a breeze – hit up various kiosks all across the country or pop onto the official lottery website. Draws go down every Saturday at 8:40 PM local time. The grandest jackpot moment was back in 2003, when one lucky devil walked away with a whopping 85.95 billion South Korean Won.
Another big game in South Korea’s book is poker. Despite the fact that gambling’s a no-go on Korean turf, the country still hosts some big poker showdowns, like the PokerStars Festival Korea and APPT Korea. Local players get in on the action too. Offline poker is also a thing at the massive Kangwon Land Casino.
When it comes to online play, Korean companies are banned from running the show, and Korean banks can’t handle transactions abroad. But no worries, heaps of Koreans are getting their fix at foreign poker rooms like PokerStars, GGPoker, PartyPoker, and DafaPoker. They’re using e-wallets and crypto as payment methods, working around the system.
Reliability and safety of online casinos in Korea
With online casinos being a no-no in South Korea, there ain’t any local gambling commissions or regulators to turn to. So, the question you might be asking is, “Who do I call if I get shafted?” Such cases are rare in licensed casinos, but they can still happen. That’s where licenses and international gaming commissions come in – they keep tabs on the fairness of games and prevent any foul play.
First up, you’ve gotta figure out which license your casino is under and whether they’ve got a complaint email or contact organization. If you can’t find that, hit up the gaming commission directly – be it MGA, Curacao, AGCC, or any other outfit. You can drop them an email or hit up their website.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the gambling scene in South Korea is a real mixed bag. There are over 20 land-based casinos in the mix, but only one is welcoming local Korean players. Different online casinos are considered illegal, so the government’s blocking those sites left and right. But since there’s no specific legislation for them, players are always finding their way around using VPNs and crypto. Betting on sports and lotteries is a tad easier, thanks to the state-run bookmaker and Nanum Lotto organization. So, South Korea’s a fine destination for gambling tourism, but not the most convenient for locals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any land-based casinos in South Korea?
There are more than 20 land-based casinos in South Korea. However, only Kangwon Land Casino is available for local players.
Are online casinos legal in South Korea?
There is no separate legislation for online casinos, but the government blocks such sites. As a consequence, players can access them using a VPN, but they do so at their own risk.
What is the situation with poker and sports betting in South Korea?
Offline poker can be played in South Korean land-based casinos, some of which are available to locals. The country often hosts various major poker series, including those run by PokerStars. As for sports betting – there is a state-owned bookmaker SportsToto in South Korea, where you can place bets.
Is there a lottery in South Korea?
On the territory of South Korea there is an organization Nanum Lotto, which holds the famous 6/45 lottery every week.
Is cryptocurrency legal in South Korea?
Legal, you can freely buy or sell cryptocurrency on one of the Korean crypto exchanges. But you will have to go through an identity verification procedure to do so.
23.01.2022 | Date updated: 17 July 2024
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