The South Korean horse racing governing body says it will work with the casino operator Kangwon Land on steps to help fight gambling addiction.
The organizations agreed to expand cooperation efforts and “strengthen the system for preventing and treating gambling addiction,” the South Korean newspaper Shina Ilbo reported.
The parties agreed to pool gambling addiction prevention and counseling resources. They said they would establish “a practical cooperation network” to support gambling addicts.
“This is a very responsible and important step for institutions leading the gambling industry,” said a senior Kangwon Land official. “We will continue to expand our boundary-breaking exchanges to establish a healthy entertainment industry culture.”
Kangwon Land’s High1 casino last year welcomed more than 7 million visitors, marking a new all-time high for the state-owned venue.
The Korea Racing Authority operates a handful of horse racing parks, including its flagship Seoul venue and tracks in Busan and Jeju. The parks generated a combined revenue of around $4.5 billion in 2024.
However, gambling addiction rates are on the rise in South Korea.
The problem has become acute among younger citizens. In May, the Prime Minister ordered gambling regulators to create a “safety net” for teenage gambling addicts.
South Korean Horse Racing Body, Casino Announce AI Plans
Both Kangwon Land and the Korea Racing Authority operate industry-first addiction treatment centers.
Korea Racing Authority launched the U-Can Center network in the late 1990s.
Kangwon Land launched its High Healing One center last year after a successful pilot, the first of its kind for casino operators.
U-Can claims to provide free addiction prevention counseling, as well as self-diagnosis tools and psychological treatment sessions.
High Healing One, meanwhile, was initially established as a mindfulness retreat. But it has since added residential treatment facilities for people with gambling problems.
The parties discussed ways to enhance existing prevention systems by using artificial intelligence-powered technology.
They also discussed a range of therapeutic treatment plans that could have an application for addiction-related counseling and rehabilitation.
Operator to Hire Expert Consultants
The organizations also agreed to hold a joint forum in September to discuss ways to implement IT-related gambling addiction detection methods.
They pledged to invite “relevant experts” to provide technological insights.
High1 is the only casino in South Korea that is allowed to admit domestic passport-holders.
In December, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned that gambling addiction could soon prove “terminal” for the country.
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