Authorities in South Korea held the first meeting of the “Hold’em Pub” Illegal Response Task Force last week in Seoul in an effort to counter the country’s burgeoning “hold’em pub” craze. Representatives from the National Police Agency and other government departments make up the task team. Its main goal is to stop the growth of bars with poker themes, which frequently encourage illicit gaming and money laundering.
Nationwide Investigation and Enhanced Penalties on the Horizon
The task force is carrying out a fact-finding expedition through a statewide inquiry that will be finished in September in response to “hold’em pubs” growing more and more well-liked among Korean youth and celebrities. The goal of this research is to find places that engage in unlawful gambling and other associated offenses.
Additionally, the task committee is drafting new regulations that will impose harsher penalties on individuals who run “hold’em pubs.” According to the proposed modifications, offenders would now face penalties of up to 70 million yen and longer jail terms of up to seven years. Operators of illicit gambling may now get a 30-million-pound fine and up to five years in jail.
Strengthening Reporting and Oversight
The task team is encouraging informants to report illicit gaming activity in addition to enforcing stiffer sanctions. A new legislation change will create a Supervisory Committee for the Integration of the Gambling Industry to actively oversee such locations. Those who report illicit activity will receive compensation of up to 50 million.
The government’s initiatives to encourage reporting have already yielded fruit. The reward review committee gave out 152 million yen in compensation for 1,249 reported instances of illicit gambling in the second quarter, 26 of which had a physical location involved.
Protecting Youth from Harmful Influences
The task force’s regulatory amendments are being driven by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in coordination with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Hold’em bars will be labeled as “harmful to youth” by December. With this categorization, the advertising of these businesses to teens will be lessened, and the younger generation will be shielded from any possible dangers brought on by gambling culture.
The post South Korea Takes a Stand Against Illegal “Hold’em Pub” Culture appeared first on iGaming.org.