Korean Job Discussion Forums

[QQworld]

Title says it all: is internet poker legal in South Korea?

Obviously I'm speaking about playing for real money (partypoker and so forth)...

Thanks for your input

[lostinseoul77777]

I used to play alot in the States. I'm sure you kow that playing internet poker for real money in the States is technically illegal. But since they can't effectively enforce it with millions of people playing online, everyone ignores it and just plays.

Although I'm not positive, I'm pretty sure playing poker in Korea is illegal too, especially since playing live poker is illegal. But again the issue is enforcement. I have a friend who has a home games where they play for big money (thousands) and one of the participants is a police chief. Go figure, huh.

You're probably not going to get into any trouble for playing it online, as I'm sure there are tons of people doing it.

[Son Deureo!]

Internet gambling is illegal in Korea, and at least one time the government has tried to enforce it. Check this thread for details of a big online gambling bust in Korea from a few years ago:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=37930&highlight=internet+gambling

[lostinseoul77777]

I stand corrected. Thanks.

[joelseymour]

...

[ForceOne]

I know of lots of people who play, and have never had a problem (knock on wood)--some of the accounts were set-up overseas, so that may help--and apparently there are lots of legal loopholes for live games, making it almost impossible to get in trouble--there are several "poker clubs" popping up...