Korean Gambling Scene Keeps Growing

11-16-2009

A reported 8,260,000 (yes, 8.26 million!) South Koreans tried their hand gambling last year, another annual increase in local residents that are taking to gambling at legal vendors throughout the Asian country.

National Tax Service Reports

The latest numbers from the National Tax Service reports a 16 percent increase from the year 2007, and a giant jump from 2006, when the total number of players was only 5,220,000.

The Drawcards

The biggest drawcard in Korea was legal batting at racetracks, and pulled in 4,070,000 players. This was closely followed by casino gambling at Kangwon Land, the only land casino in the country. Approximately 2,910,000 gamblers visited the casino last year. Rounding out the top three, cycling races drew in 1,280,000 participants.

The Stats

The statistics by the National Tax Service are figured based on the total amount of individual consumption tax which was paid by the people visiting gambling facilities.