South Korean comedian charged with illegal gambling offences
South Korean comedian Lee Jin-ho is set to face prosecution after admitting to borrowing nearly $2 million to support an illegal online gambling habit. Although he has not been detained, prosecutors will move forward with charges.
Jin-ho’s gambling became public in 2023 when reports revealed he had failed to repay around 100 million won (about $70,233) to BTS star Jimin (Park Ji-min). He also reportedly borrowed money from fellow comedian Lee Su-geun and singers Ha Sung-woon and Young Tak.
Police had also been investigating him for possible loan scams, but dropped those charges due to a lack of evidence. Estimates suggest he may have borrowed around 1 billion won ($702,013) in total.
In October 2024, during the investigation, Jin-ho wrote on social media: “I started gambling on an online casino site in 2020, and it left me with an overwhelming amount of debt. As a public figure, I deeply regret my poor decisions and the damage they’ve caused. No matter what, I intend to repay all outstanding debts.”
At the time, he was also quoted saying, “I’m sorry.”
Gambling in South Korea
In South Korea, gambling is tightly controlled. Of the country’s 18 casinos, only one is open to local citizens, with the remaining 17 designated for foreign visitors. While horse racing and lotteries are legal, online gambling remains banned.
Despite these strict rules, illegal gambling—especially online—has surged in recent years. South Koreans are increasingly turning to unregulated platforms that accept cryptocurrency payments, allowing them to gamble anonymously. These sites specifically target the Korean market, undermining the country’s legal framework.
According to the , illegal gambling revenue in South Korea hit 100 trillion won (US$72.5 billion) in 2022. In recent years, illegal online gambling has surged, with reports indicating that the number of cases nearly tripled between 2019 and 2023. The rise of unregulated platforms is partly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed many gamblers toward online options. Authorities continue to crack down on illegal gambling, blocking thousands of websites and imposing hefty fines and prison sentences on offenders.
