Do I Need to Pay Taxes on Online Gambling Winnings in South Korea?

None at all. As South Korean gambling laws look at online casino gambling as an illegal activity, there are no related tax laws in place. The country does charge a lotto and lottery tax that varies between 22% and 30%.

Can I Play With South Korean won at Online Casinos?

As many foreign online casinos seek to accommodate the large Korean player base, many operators allow customers to play with South Korean won. If the won is unavailable, you are free to use a different currency such as USD or EUR. Your own deposits and withdrawals will be converted, for which you will be charged a minor conversion fee.

Is It Safe To Play at South Korean Online Casinos?

Playing at foreign online casinos may not be legal in the eyes of South Korean law, but there is not much the government can do about it. These casinos are based outside of the country, and the law rarely prosecutes individuals for placing online wagers.

Can I Play For Free at South Korean Online Casinos?

Yes. Online casinos that accept South Korean players offer most games in “real money” and “demo mode”. The latter is free to play indefinitely. Demo Mode is a great way of exploring new titles to see if they match your taste.

Can I Expect Bonuses at South Korean Online Casinos?

Absolutely. The online casino competition is fierce, and operators must fight tooth and nail for new players. This is why they offer extremely generous bonuses on the regular. As a Korean gamer, you will be spoiled for choice.

Are There Withdrawal Fees at South Korean Online Casinos?

Depending on your withdrawal method, you may be charged a small withdrawal fee when requesting a cashout. In general, however, these fees are very minimal, so you shouldn’t worry that a large portion of your withdrawal will be deducted.

What Do I Need To Do To Receive My Winnings?

Before requesting a withdrawal, the majority of online casinos will require that you verify your identity. This is a standard security procedure that requires you to send out a photo or scan of your personal ID and a proof of address.

How Long Will It Take Before I Receive My Winnings?

If you are withdrawing your cash via an e-wallet, your money will generally arrive within 72 hours. Payouts to debit cards and bank transfers usually involve additional security checks and can take up to a full working week.

Which Payment Methods Are Available at South Korean Online Casinos?

South Korean online casinos offer a wide range of payment options such as debit cards, cryptocurrency, e-wallets, and prepaid cards. We’ll give you an overview of the most popular payment options:

Best Online Casinos in South Korea: Top 10 Casino Websites 2023

Online Casino in South Korea

The average online casino in South Korea boasts modern websites and up-to-date slots. They offer a vast variety of table games and live casino options. As well as excellent customer support, and many generous bonuses and promotions.

These gambling operators are available for Koreans and offer the won as a currency of choice. Since there are so many online casinos out there, our expert team is here to provide you with detailed, unbiased reviews of online casinos in Korea.

Gambling in Korea is illegal. South Koreans are not permitted to place bets on any casino game, whether online or offline. Still, online casinos have been gaining popularity in the country.

Yet, online casinos offer a great alternative since they do not need a physical presence. Players can play in their favorite casino games without leaving their homes.

South Koreans visit international online casinos because they provide a great entertainment experience. Here are the three main reasons why online casinos have gained popularity in the country:

Accessibility
Convenience
A wide range of gaming options
Bonuses

Have a look at our Korean online casino listings to get more details. Make your choice, and you can start playing right away. Continue reading for more details on what to expect from online casinos in Korea. Find out the legal status of gambling, answers to common questions, and more.

History of gambling in South Korea

South Korea has been one of those countries where gamblers have not had an easy ride. For instance, no gambling house was allowed to operate in the country until 1967, when the government legalized casino gambling to boost tourism.

Following the legalization, land-based casinos emerged, but not as many as gamblers would expect.

Of the few offline casinos operating in the country, South Koreans are allowed to gamble only at the Kangwon Land Casino.

The South Korean government owns the casino, and all of its earnings are used to fund welfare programs in the country, including pensions for low-income citizens.

Problem gambling

South Korea's gambling industry has always been under strict government control, which many believe is a deterrent against problem gambling. Anyone found engaging in illegal activities may be arrested without warning.

The Korean Center on Gambling Problems study revealed that the average Korean is two-three times more likely to suffer from gambling addiction than any other nationality. However, this claim has been questioned on numerous occasions.

Gambling nowadays in South Korea

While the government of South Korea may have been successful in regulating the country's gambling industry, online casinos have been challenging this strategy significantly. The government has consistently warned against online casino gaming, prosecuting those found guilty to the fullest extent of the law.

Despite the government's best efforts to block access to online casinos in South Korea, there has been little progress as many continue visiting international sites that provide them with all they need from a gambling and entertainment perspective.

The fact that hundreds of online casinos out there accept players from South Korea also makes it much easier to access these sites.

Virtual private networks (VPN)

With the South Korean government constantly cracking down on online gamblers, players have had to adopt tactics of their own to ensure they can continue gambling with ease.

One strategy that has emerged is using a VPN service that allows players to mask their original location and access blocked sites.

With a VPN, gamers can visit international online casinos that accept South Korean gamblers without facing the risk of being prosecuted by law enforcement agencies in the country.

South Korean gamblers should pray that the government does not block VPN services as that will put an end to their online casino and gambling activities once and for all.

Future of Online Casinos in South Korea

With the government of South Korea being unable to block access to international online casinos effectively, many are optimistic that the industry will continue growing in the country.

While most people believe that blocking VPN services is a solution for controlling problem gambling among citizens of South Korea, others believe that the government should focus on strategies to prevent problem gambling among South Koreans.

And, don't forget the influence of cryptos. Cryptos, especially Bitcoin, have made inroads into online casino gambling. With these, players in South Korea can complete transactions without having to worry about getting arrested or their bank accounts being frozen. Bitcoin transactions are entirely anonymous.

Another trend that we can see is the rise in mobile gambling. With the popularity of mobile phones, South Korean gamblers have easy access to mobile casinos in Korea. Check out the full list and choose your best mobile casino South Korea today.

Are Casinos Legal in South Korea?

As alluded to earlier, the South Korean government implements strict gambling laws, making it difficult for any person to participate in or patronize online casinos. That means online casinos are illegal in South Korea.

However, the laws are difficult to enforce, especially with how widespread modern technology has become. It's incredibly easy for people living in South Korea to access online casinos via VPN services, which renders all government efforts ineffective since there is no way of knowing who accesses what site when.

Willing players and willing casinos

What makes the situation even worse is that South Koreans love gambling, and online casino operators understand this.

That is why they continue creating new ways to attract South Korean players, which means that even if the government were to block access to these sites successfully, there is always a good chance of them popping up again.

That said, South Koreans should take it upon themselves to ensure that they gamble responsibly. It is also vital that they research the online casinos they plan on patronizing before actually depositing any money.

South Koreans' Favorite Games

South Koreans enjoy a variety of games. The country doesn’t have a history that dates back to ancient times; therefore, we can’t single out any historically known games particular to the state.

Different players have different preferences, but overall there is no particular standout game. In the modern age, the typical Korean punter likes to bet on sports such as soccer, basketball, and various racetracks and motorsports.

In terms of casino games, all of the usual casino staples have a fair share of playtime.

Blackjack
Roulette
Classic Slots
Bingo
Video Poker

The pattern here is obvious. All of the above games are typically available at online casinos, and the Korean gamer is drawn to them just like any other player. Each game type offers unique benefits, features, and playstyles.

Slots are luck-based fun machines, table games have a certain factor of skill in them, and so forth.

Popular Casino Bonuses in South Korea

One of the greatest benefits for South Korean online players is bonuses. You can have your pick among a great range of promotional offers no matter where you turn.

Not all bonuses are worth claiming though. Make sure to read through the terms and conditions. Have a look at important factors such as wagering requirements, and if any restrictions are in place (Maximum Bet, Restricted Games).

Welcome Bonuses - The welcome bonus is a player favorite, offered by an online casino in Korea to newcomers on their first or first few deposits.

Your typical welcome bonus looks like this: 100% match up to €100 – doubling your initial playing budget. But many sign-up offers go beyond that, and it’s not uncommon to see a €500 bonus.

Free Spins Bonuses - On occasion, your sign-up deposit match will be paired with a good amount of free spins i.e. 100% up to €100 + 30 Free Spins. Free Spins bonuses work as usual.

The difference is, that all winnings from your spins will be later converted into bonus cash that needs to be wagered at an online casino in Korea. Some free spins offers are wager-free, but those are not as common.

No Deposit Bonuses - No Deposit Bonuses are fairly self-explanatory, and they aren’t really common. When you come across a no deposit bonus, you’ll notice the very high wagering requirements, and typically a cashout limit to the tune of €100.

However, there’s nothing to lose by claiming a bonus of this type. It offers a great way to explore a new Korean casino online with no strings attached.

Reload & Cashback Bonuses - Reload and Cashback bonuses have taken a backseat in recent times, but they are still reasonably available to players. These bonuses work by returning a portion of your lost winnings at the end of the day, week, or month.

How we select the best South Korean online casinos

Since Koreans have to resort to foreign gambling sites for their online gaming needs, the choices at hand are virtually endless. You can have your pick among hundreds of operators. To the new player, this may be incredibly daunting.

Rest assured though; that this is where we come in. Our casino reviews will give you a clear picture of what to expect when you enter a certain online casino in South Korea. Not only that, but we’ll guide you through important factors such as key bonus terms and conditions, quality of games, level of security, and much more.

Read below to get a more detailed overview of our review process. We will also let you know how the average casino that accepts Koreans fares in all of these aspects.

Security at South Korean online casinos

We’ll say it right off the bat. You should not be concerned about security when playing at an online casino in South Korea.

This is because these sites already serve a wide, sometimes global player base. They are typically licensed by the most strict and trustworthy licensing bodies in the online gambling industry, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, eGaming Authority of Curacao, Panama, and Gibraltar Gaming Authority.

This means that these operators must respect dozens of fair play and security regulations in order to protect players. Sometimes, they act as mediators on behalf of players in order to solve disputes where player mistreatment has been suspected.

Language at South Korean online casinos

This may come as a surprise, but many online casinos are currently available in Korea. Operators are well aware that Koreans can’t really gamble in their country, and go above & beyond to accommodate this vast player base. One example is bitcoin casinos but plenty of others await.

However, if a casino isn’t available in Korean, that doesn’t mean you can’t play. You will usually be able to browse the casino in English with virtually no difference bar the interface language.

Customer support at South Korean online casinos

Customer support is another integral factor in the Korean casino online equation. As a player, it is crucial to know that you have a solid customer support team to fall back on.

Things happen all the time, you may have a minor issue or question at hand, and without immediate help, you may become stuck in your play sessions.

Fortunately, most Korean casinos offer industry-standard live chat customer support. To top it off, live chat is typically available 24/7, offering immediate assistance no matter the time of day.

We also look at the availability of telephone support, but that is far from a deciding factor given the efficiency of live chat. Email support is the bare minimum we expect from any online casino in Korea.

Software providers at online casinos in South Korea

An offshore online casino that accepts South Korean players is known to have extensive gaming libraries, filled with the market’s latest and greatest titles.

This is because these companies bear partnerships with industry bar-setters in terms of game design. By this, we mean brands in the likes of Net Entertainment, Microgaming, IGT, Play N Go, Yggdrasil, Pragmatic Play, and many others.

Upon hearing these names, any experienced player will know they will be dealing with quality. To those new to online gambling, however, this means hundreds upon hundreds of well-paying slots, table games, and all sorts of other titles.

Slot Machines - Classic slots, video slots, and progressives. These games will be the first to catch your eye upon entering an online casino in South Korea. And rightfully so, as slots make up the lion’s share of each casino’s gaming selection. These games are the highest in variety, as they are the preferred game of choice to the majority of casino gamers.

At your typical casino that accepts South Korean players, you can have your pick among hundreds of slots of all kinds. They come in many themes (pop culture, mythology, sci-fi), with a myriad of special features (Megaways, 243-ways to win, cascading reels, stacked wilds, free spins) and the most up-to-date graphics, animations, and sound effects.

To illustrate our point, have a look at Microgaming classics in the likes of:

Terminator
The Dark Knight Rises
Immortal Romance

For the best eye candy on the market, NetEnt titles are a sure bet. The hallmark products of the Swedish provider and games are:

Starburst
Aliens
Dead or alive
Blood Suckers

Progressive slots are also on the menu. Many online progressives are known to dish out 6, 7, and 8-digit jackpots on the regular. The record payout is £13m+ on Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, which came from a lucky 25p spin for a player from the UK. NetEnt’s Mega Fortune is similar in that regard, but plenty of other jackpots await.

Table Games - Slots may be the most popular casino game on the market, but a Korean casino can’t be complete without a good set of table games. Indeed, those who prefer games of skill can have plenty to look forward to in the online world. The usual staples in the likes of Blackjack, Roulette, and Poker are always on offer.
What’s more, there are many variants, such as Atlantic City Blackjack, Vegas Single Deck Blackjack, European and American. Even La Partage Roulette, Sic Bo, Punto Banco, Oasis Poker – we could go on and on.
Video Poker - A well-rounded gaming selection online casino in Korea should always include a few video poker titles. This is usually the case with South Korean online casinos. Through titles such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Aces & Eights, Joker Pro, and others, players can enjoy a wide variety of video poker. These games offer great payout potential, decent graphics, and highly engaging gameplay.
Live Casino - True table game lovers should do themselves justice and experience live casino gaming. Your typical online casino in Korea will be supplied by live casino giants such as NetEnt or Evolution Gaming.

This means the best, most immersive live dealer tables in existence will be at your disposal. The most popular Evolution tables are Blackjack Party, Deal or no Deal, and Immersive Roulette. But, do yourself a favor and check it out for yourself.

Live dealer tables are hosted by engaging and chatty presenters you can interact with in real-time, Moreover, tables are open 24/7, and there is a slew of regular and VIP variants on offer.

Responsible Gambling

For those who wish to read more about responsible gaming or need help with addiction, please visit these websites below.

GamCare

BeGambleAware

Gamblers Anonymous

Top-rated Online gambling sites in South Korea

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