Illegal gambling dens spread in Seoul’s Chinatown: Report
Illegal gambling dens catering exclusively to Chinese nationals are operating openly across parts of western Seoul, according to The Chosun Daily report. Dozens of dens were identified in the Chinatown districts of Garibong-dong in Guro-gu and Daerim-dong in Yeongdeungpo-gu.
According to the report, these venues run slot machines and mahjong tables while explicitly prohibiting entry to Koreans, despite strict laws governing gambling in South Korea. The report said that a recent survey of the area over two days found more than 100 such establishments. Many are located in ageing commercial buildings, some nearly five decades old, where discreet signage and guarded entrances conceal their true purpose from the street.
Hidden operations behind coded signage
The report said that the gambling dens often disguise themselves using the term that translates literally as “senior activity room” but is widely understood among Chinese communities as slang for a gambling venue. Signs bearing the phrase, alongside Chinese characters, are placed at regular intervals along roads in the area.
Other signs used to indicate gambling activities included Chinese terms for slot machine rooms, mahjong rooms, and board game rooms. The report said that these labels were visible throughout the neighbourhood, pointing to a network of similar operations clustered within a small geographic area.
Guesthouses linked to gambling activity
In some cases, gambling dens were directly connected to unregistered lodging facilities. One building surveyed housed a gambling den on a lower floor and a guesthouse above it that lacked proper registration as an accommodation business.
Patrons were reported to move upstairs after gambling sessions ended around midnight, resting briefly before returning to gamble again the following day. The daily accommodation fee was low, encouraging repeated use by customers who spent long hours at the gambling machines.
Legal gambling and enforcement challenges
Foreign residents in South Korea are permitted to gamble only at 17 licensed casinos nationwide. Any other form of gambling is illegal, regardless of whether it targets foreigners exclusively.
Despite this clear legal framework, the report said that the number of illegal gambling dens under police surveillance has risen sharply. Data submitted to the National Assembly of South Korea shows that monitored illegal gambling sites increased from 273 in 2022 to 909 in 2024. Over the same period, the rate of on-site crackdowns declined, reflecting the difficulties authorities face in dismantling these operations.
Law enforcement officials note that many Chinese-run gambling dens operate in tightly controlled cellular structures, with lookouts and restricted access making evidence collection challenging. These measures often allow operators to shut down temporarily or conceal activities during inspections.
Growing pressure for response
The visible spread of illegal gambling dens has raised concerns among residents and policymakers about enforcement gaps and the social impact on vulnerable communities. While South Korean police continue surveillance efforts, the decline in successful crackdowns highlights the need for more targeted strategies.
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