(AsiaGameHub) – Police report that numerous South Korean gambling experience pubs are allowing patrons to place real-money bets on poker and other casino games, just before a new crackdown targeting the so-called “Texas Hold ’em pubs.”
Law enforcement officials nationwide will increase their oversight of pubs that provide casino-style experiences in exchange for a cover fee. For four consecutive years, police have launched similar initiatives, driven by complaints that these pubs enable some customers to gamble using cash.
Between 2023 and 2025, police carried out three “intensive” crackdowns, resulting in the arrest of 6,285 individuals on charges related to running unlicensed gambling venues or engaging in illegal betting.
During the same timeframe, detectives seized approximately 24 billion won (equivalent to $16.3 million) in suspected gambling proceeds, according to South Korean news outlet Newsis.
Authorities state they will closely monitor these pubs from May through August, noting that illegal operators are employing “growing secrecy” to hide their unlawful activities.
Per South Korean law, only one casino—the state-run High1 in Gangwon Province—is allowed to welcome domestic passport holders. Nevertheless, this has not curbed the growth of illegal gambling, as officials put the size of the underground industry at $65 billion.
South Korean Gambling Experience Pubs: ‘Intense’ Enforcement Campaign
The National Police Agency noted that its newest crackdown is a reaction to criminals’ growing use of “advanced and secretive operational tactics.”
The agency highlighted an increase in “highly secure social media platforms” like Telegram.
Police report that some illegal operators utilize encrypted messaging applications to organize private real-money betting events.
According to police, many operators are cautious of law enforcement oversight and implement strict “membership and reservation systems.” Some use CCTV networks and hire security personnel to ensure only trusted patrons access their locations outside regular business hours.
Police state that many operators covertly swap the gaming chips used at their venues for cash. Additionally, some earn commissions for referring customers to real-money gambling spots.
Police have discovered that numerous venues host illegal Texas Hold ’em tournaments requiring entry fees from participants. Officers added that many of these tournaments “award substantial cash prizes to winners.”
Appeal for Whistleblowers
In certain instances, groups of operators may face organized crime charges if prosecutors can demonstrate that the group “systematically assigned” roles to its members.
Legislators have supported police efforts through new laws. In 2024, members of parliament passed an amendment to the Tourism Promotion Act.
This new provision permits the penalization of “quasi-casino operations” at Texas Hold ’em pubs.
Police have informed potential whistleblowers that they could receive a reward of up to $34,000 for information that results in an arrest.
The agency also noted that illegal gamblers who surrender themselves during this period will qualify for “discretionary leniency.”
Police stated that officers will avoid “random crackdowns on businesses that comply with legal regulations.”
According to data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, South Korea had 1,200 Texas Hold ’em pubs across the country in 2023.
Despite their name, numerous South Korean Texas Hold ’em pubs provide a broad range of casino-style games beyond poker, such as roulette, blackjack, craps, and baccarat.
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