South Korea's Youth in the Grip of Cyber Gambling: A Wake-Up Call for Germany?

The latest figures from South Korea are alarming and could be a precursor to similar developments in other parts of the world, including Germany. According to a report by iGamingToday on June 23, 2026, the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) registered a total of 294 new cases of cyber gambling among young people in the second quarter of 2026. This represents a shocking increase of 37 percent compared to the same period last year. A development that must make us here in Germany sit up and take notice, especially with regard to the protection of minors in the young German online gambling market.

Particularly worrying is the way young people in South Korea are being introduced to these illegal gambling offers: crypto casino apps and specially set up Discord servers are the main channels. By using VPN services, minors circumvent technical barriers and enter a world that is not only illegal for them but also highly dangerous. There they are confronted with the often unregulated and unfair practices of MGA or Curaçao licensed providers, far removed from the player-friendliness of the GGL-licensed providers recommended here, such as JackpotPiraten, OnlineCasino DE, Merkur Slots, bwin Casino, Tipico Games or LeoVegas DE.

This development in South Korea once again illustrates the downsides of digitalization and raises important questions for the German gambling market. While we in Germany are fighting for more regulation and player protection with the Gambling State Treaty 2021 and the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL), it shows how quickly new loopholes can arise. Our focus on legal, secure offers must also increasingly consider the prevention of cyber gambling among young people. Simply forbidding it is not enough when the temptations in the digital space become more and more sophisticated.

In Germany, protection under §6 of the Youth Protection Act (JuSchG) applies to gambling to protect minors from the dangers of gambling addiction. However, the South Korean cases show that age verification and youth protection measures that function in a conventional way can often be circumvented in the digital underground. Our central Sperrsystem OASIS, an important instrument in the fight against gambling addiction, only applies to those 18 and older. But what are we doing for those under 18 who are exposed to the temptations of crypto casinos and Discord servers?

The GGL faces a monumental task here. In addition to licensing and monitoring legal providers, strategies against illegal online gambling aimed at young people must also be developed. This means not only tackling the obvious black sheep but also shedding light on the grey areas of the internet. Education and awareness are crucial so that young people and their parents can recognize the risks and protect themselves from dubious offers. Currently, the German market with its licensed providers is well positioned, but looking beyond our borders shows that we must intensify our efforts here.

For parents in Germany, this is a clear signal to be vigilant and to keep a close eye on their children's media consumption. Signs of a possible gambling addiction in teenagers can be manifold: sudden money problems, secretiveness about online activities, neglect of school or hobbies, mood swings or attempts to compensate for losses through ever higher stakes. It is important to seek dialogue without judging and, if necessary, to seek professional help.

There are some practical tips that parents can use to protect their children from the dangers of cyber gambling. This includes not only educating them about the risks of illegal offers, but also installing parental control filters on all devices or regularly checking their browser history. Setting up a family account for digital purchases can also help to detect unauthorized spending. It is important to create an open communication basis where children feel confident to talk about their online experiences, even if they have made mistakes.

The worrying news from South Korea should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. The German gambling market has taken important steps to protect players. However, digital challenges are dynamic and require constant adaptation of our strategies. It is time to prioritize the protection of our youth in the digital space even more and jointly find innovative solutions that go beyond existing laws to protect a generation from the pitfalls of illegal cyber gambling. This is not an easy task, but one that we must master for the sake of our children.