An online gambling website is shown in an undated photoJOONGANG ILBO
Netflix's hit series "Teach You a Lesson" features a scene in which high school students gamble. The portrayal may be closer to reality than many would expect: A total of 48 students in just one high school admitted to online gambling during a month-long self-reporting campaign.
The 48 reports come from a high school in Gangwon, and is the highest number of reports from a school made during a self-reporting campaign for online gambling that started on May 18, according to the National Police Agency on Monday.
The self-reporting campaign is open to youth under age 19 who have engaged with online gambling as well as their guardians. Reports can be submitted through the 117 School Violence Report Center. Those who voluntarily report can receive more lenient penalties, and professional counseling will be provided if needed.
Another 20 students admitted to online gambling at another nearby high school in Gangwon, along with 10 additional students from other high schools in the province, bringing the number of self-reported cases in the province to 78.
The Gangwon Provincial Police Agency said it made it easier for students to come forward by distributing the business cards of school police officers, which included Instagram handles that students could use to submit reports via direct messages.
In Incheon, a 15-year-old boy who assaulted his mother after she refused to repay his 4 million won ($2,600) gambling debt filed a self-report. The teenager had spent a total of 30 million won on gambling.
Police said the teenager will receive follow-up care through addiction treatment and guidance programs linked to psychiatric hospitals.
Teenagers listen to a lecture about the dangers of online gambling and deepfake crimes given by a police officer from the Gwangju Nambu Police Station on Aug. 8, 2025.YONHAP
Authorities also found that some committed crimes to obtain funds for gambling.
In North Jeolla, a 17-year-old not enrolled in school, ran away from home and broke into multiple vehicles for gambling money.
The teenager was found to have deposited 16 million won into gambling websites over a period of 14 months. Police found the youth's addiction was severe and connected the individual to addiction treatment programs and a youth shelter.
Teenagers who self-reported gambling spent an average of 3 million won over a period of 12 months, according to the National Police Agency. The highest individual amount used for gambling was 60 million won.
Of those who self-reported, 274, or 93 percent, were male. High school students accounted for 176 cases, or 60 percent of all reports, while middle school students accounted for 118 cases, or 40 percent.
The government plans to continue the self-reporting campaign through the end of August.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
