Illegal Gambling Dens Target Chinese Nationals in Seoul

An undercover probe by South Korean newspaper Chosun Daily has uncovered a dense network of illegal gambling venues operating in Garibong-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, which exclusively serve Chinese nationals. The investigation connects the rapid spread of these operations to the growing population of Chinese residents and visitors in South Korea, suggesting a correlation between demographic concentration and illegal gambling activity in the district.

Reporters identified more than 100 clandestine gambling rooms hidden inside ageing commercial buildings, many fitted with slot machines and mahjong tables. Entry is strictly limited to Chinese nationals, with Koreans explicitly barred. Guards reportedly demand Chinese-issued identification before granting access, enforcing the rule with intimidation. From the outside, the venues are almost invisible, with windows covered and external signs of activity deliberately concealed.

A Closed Ecosystem Built for Secrecy

Many of the gambling rooms are clustered inside a deteriorating commercial building approaching five decades in age, its exterior showing signs of long-term neglect. According to reporting, the property owner denied knowledge of the activities inside, despite their scale. Access controls are tight: guards verify identification at the door, windows are blocked from street view and interior operations are shielded from casual observation.

One individual interviewed during the investigation described how gambling activity often extends beyond the halls themselves. Players frequently move to a nearby unlicensed lodging facility that charges a modest daily rate. This arrangement allows gamblers to play late into the night, rest upstairs and resume the following day, effectively creating a self-contained gambling circuit operating around the clock.

Demographic Shifts Fuel Demand

The investigation points to demographic changes within South Korea’s Chinese community as a key driver behind the growth of these venues. The population of older Chinese nationals has expanded sharply, with official figures showing that those aged 60 and above now account for more than 40% of overseas compatriots. Younger individuals often acquire skills in South Korea before returning to China for work, leaving behind an ageing group with fewer economic opportunities and greater exposure to gambling.

These venues are commonly referred to as “senior activity rooms,” a term that originated in China in the 1990s and later became shorthand for gambling spaces. By the mid-2000s, the concept had taken root in Garibong-dong and nearby Daerim-dong, where such rooms openly advertised mahjong, card games and slot machines though access remained restricted to Chinese nationals.

Enforcement Falling Behind

Law enforcement data highlights the growing challenge authorities face. The number of illegal gambling sites under police monitoring has surged from 273 in 2022 to 909 this year. However, enforcement outcomes have weakened. Closure rates fell from 17.9% in 2022 to just 11.9% in 2024, reflecting the difficulty of dismantling operations designed for rapid relocation and compartmentalisation.

Investigators face multiple obstacles, including guarded entrances, hidden interiors and limited cooperation from witnesses. Under South Korean law, operating an illegal gambling venue carries penalties of up to five years in prison or fines of up to KRW30 million. Property owners who knowingly allow such activity face equivalent sanctions. Despite isolated responses, such as lease terminations, the investigation suggests the broader problem remains deeply entrenched.