(AsiaGameHub) – South Korean police say their crackdown on teen gambling is delivering positive results, as law enforcement agencies across the country roll out amnesty periods.
As part of a program in Gyeonggi Province, the region surrounding Seoul, officers confirm 121 young people have submitted “voluntary confessions” for gambling-related offenses, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
The police force’s campaign operates a series of three-month self-reporting windows. During these periods, law enforcement notes that people who turn themselves in are eligible for clemency and access to resources for gambling addiction support.
Officials said the most recent amnesty period was held from January 1 to March 31. Police added that they have carried out follow-up investigations into 117 of the individuals who came forward.
Over the course of the force’s latest amnesty period, police called on parents and guardians of young people with gambling addictions to step forward.
Officers stated that parents and guardians can expect lenient treatment for the minors in their care during the amnesty.
Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police representatives said 109 people, making up 90.1% of the total, submitted confessions for their own offenses. The remaining 12 individuals had their gambling-related crimes reported by their parents or guardians.
Pledges of Leniency
Officials said 81 of the confessors are high school students, while the remaining 40 are currently enrolled in middle school.
Most of the teens told police they began gambling after getting “suggestions from friends” or after coming across online advertisements for gambling platforms.
Young offenders who gambled small sums may avoid formal penalties and only receive a caution, police said. Repeat offenders or people who spent large amounts on gambling may face further investigations, officers added.
Police said they will consider a wide range of factors during the amnesty period when determining whether to press charges.
Teen offenders who show sincere remorse and make consistent efforts to quit their gambling habits may avoid punishment entirely, a spokesperson said.
The spokesperson noted the amnesty had produced “meaningful outcomes” and committed to launching further amnesty programs in the future.
Police said young people who want to voluntarily report their offenses can reach out to a toll-free police hotline.
“Voluntary reporting is not a loophole to evade punishment. It is a first step toward genuine recovery,” said Hwang Chang-sun, the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Commissioner. “We will keep providing support services to young people.”
Teen Gambling: More Provincial Law Enforcement Launch Targeted Campaigns
Gyeonggi’s announcement follows shortly after the launch of a new teen amnesty program in South Gyeongsang Province.
Police in South Gyeongsang Province said residents under 19 living in the area can come forward before the end of June to make confessions. Officers added that people who do so will get access to specialized counseling from care professionals.
A similar initiative that concluded in February led to six teens submitting confessions.
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