South Korean children's parks exploited as gambling dens: Reports
Children’s parks in a district of Seoul are being used as informal gambling venues, according to a report by the South Korean newspaper Chosun, causing unease about enforcement and wider gambling trends in the capital.
As per the report, two parks in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, originally intended for children and families, are now gathering places for elderly men who play poker and mahjong for money.
On the morning of 19 February 2025, reporters observed four men in their 60s and 70s playing cards on blankets spread over a bench. Others had set up plastic tables and chairs, which appeared to have been hidden in the bushes overnight. Approximately 20 people were present, despite a posted notice warning that illegally stored furniture could lead to administrative action.
Activities no longer occasional
As per the reports, residents say the activity is no longer occasional. Between 10 and 50 people reportedly gather each day across the two parks. Games continue from morning into the evening. At dusk, participants hide the tables and chairs in surrounding shrubs before leaving. One man told reporters that the first to arrive each morning sets up the equipment.
(Source: seoul.go.kr)
Disputes over losses have led to shouting and swearing, sometimes in Chinese. A 69-year-old Korean-Chinese participant said that in parts of China, it is common for seniors to gather in parks to play cards and pass the time. Police in Yeongdeungpo-gu confirmed they have received repeated complaints about gambling for money.
Local families say the atmosphere has changed. Some elderly residents avoid the parks, citing alcohol consumption and fear of confrontation. A nine-year-old child said his grandmother had told him not to enter the park, so he now plays in nearby alleys. A daycare centre reported moving outdoor activities indoors due to noise.
The Yeongdeungpo-gu Office has installed additional signs banning gambling and ordered the voluntary removal of gambling-related furniture. Officials have set a deadline, after which the district will remove the items directly. A request for a formal police investigation is also under consideration.
Addiction surges at alarming rates
These developments accord with growing concern over gambling addiction among young people nationwide. Government data show that the number of teenagers seeking counselling for gambling problems doubled from 1,286 in 2020 to 2,665 by August 2024. Cases classified as “problem level” now make up more than 66 percent of those seeking help. Treatment cases may have reached over 4,500 by 2025, including elementary school students.
In Seoul, a 2025 police survey of 34,779 students found that 20.9 percent had witnessed gambling, up from 10.1 percent a year earlier. Personal participation rose from 1.5 percent to 2.1 percent. Although about 80 percent of youth gambling in the capital takes place online via smartphones, it often begins as early as primary school; offline exposure still remains an issue.
Some analysts say that when gambling takes place openly in shared public spaces, it can make the activity appear routine rather than exceptional. For South Korean authorities, the immediate questions are how to enforce existing rules in neighbourhood parks, how to address concerns about elderly residents gathering there, and how to respond to wider signs of increased gambling exposure across Seoul.
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