Calculators & Self-ChecksProsecution Request Estimator
Gambling: statutory penalty and likely requested sentence
The statutory penalty for Gambling and the likely handling of the case depending on your circumstances. The results are for reference only.
- Statutory penalty
- A fine of up to KRW 10 million
- Legal basis
- Criminal Act, Article 246(1)
- Category
- Other
Calculate with your own circumstances
What the handling steps mean
- Detention considered · Detention (구속): being held in custody during the investigation and trial under a court warrant when there is a risk of fleeing or destroying evidence
- Formal trial · Formal trial (구공판): the prosecutor asks the court for a trial, and you stand before a judge in a courtroom
- Summary fine · Summary indictment (약식기소): a procedure in which a fine is set on the documents, without a trial in a courtroom
- Suspension of indictment possible · Suspension of indictment (기소유예): the wrongdoing is recognized, but the prosecutor takes various circumstances into account and closes the case without sending it to trial
- Referral to the Family Court possible · Domestic or juvenile protection case: instead of criminal punishment, the Family Court imposes protective dispositions such as counseling, a no-contact order or community service
Handling standards at a glance
Listed from heaviest to lightest. The actual decision depends on the results of the investigation and your circumstances.
Summary fine
- Likely fine
- KRW 1 million or more
For a repeat offense, the standard is KRW 1 million or more.
Summary fine
- Likely fine
- KRW 500,000 or more
Suspension of indictment possible
If close to a temporary pastime, a suspension of indictment is possible, and if it was no more than a temporary pastime, it is not punished.
Notes
- Online gambling is decided by looking at prior convictions and the scale of the money bet.
- Habitual gambling is punished heavily as habitual gambling (up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 20 million).
- For illegal sports betting, another law (the National Sports Promotion Act) may also apply.
Frequently asked questions
- Gambling: what is the statutory penalty?
- Legal basis: Criminal Act, Article 246(1). Statutory penalty: A fine of up to KRW 10 million.
- Gambling: how is the case usually handled?
- Depending on the circumstances, it may be handled as follows: Summary fine, Suspension of indictment possible. Enter your circumstances in the calculator above to see which one applies.
Other crimes in the same category
- Employing foreigners staying illegally
- Brokering employment of foreigners staying illegally
- False invitation of foreigners
- Illegal entry (smuggling into Korea)
- False entry in public electronic records (sham marriage, etc.)
- Forging and using a public document
- Forging and using a private document
- Obstruction of business
This is only an estimate based on how investigative agencies usually handle cases. The actual decision and request depend on the facts of the case, such as a settlement, prior convictions and how the crime happened, and on the judgment of the prosecutor in charge; the final sentence is decided by the court. If you are about to be questioned, do not rely on this result alone and talk to a lawyer first.
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