Top Online Casinos in South Korea

South Korea has been one of those countries where gamblers have not had an easy ride. For instance, no gambling house was allowed to operate in the country until 1967, when the government legalized casino gambling to boost tourism.

Following the legalization, land-based casinos emerged, but not as many as gamblers would expect. Of the few offline casinos operating in the country, South Koreans are allowed to gamble only at the Kangwon Land Casino.

The South Korean government owns the casino, and all of its earnings are used to fund welfare programs in the country, including pensions for low-income citizens.

Problem gambling

South Korea's gambling industry has always been under strict government control, which many believe is a deterrent against problem gambling. Anyone found engaging in illegal activities may be arrested without warning.

The Korean Center on Gambling Problems study revealed that the average Korean is two-three times more likely to suffer from gambling addiction than any other nationality. However, this claim has been questioned on numerous occasions.

Gambling nowadays in South Korea

While the government of South Korea may have been successful in regulating the country's gambling industry, online casinos have been challenging this strategy significantly. The government has consistently warned against online casino gaming, prosecuting those found guilty to the fullest extent of the law.

Despite the government's best efforts to block access to online casinos in South Korea, there has been little progress as many continue visiting international sites that provide them with all they need from a gambling and entertainment perspective.

The fact that hundreds of online casinos out there accept players from South Korea also makes it much easier to access these sites.

Virtual private networks (VPN) for South Korea online gambling

With the South Korean government constantly cracking down on online gamblers, players have had to adopt tactics of their own to ensure they can continue gambling with ease.

One strategy that has emerged is using a VPN service that allows players to mask their original location and access blocked sites.

With a VPN, gamers can visit international online casinos that accept South Korean gamblers without facing the risk of being prosecuted by law enforcement agencies in the country.

South Korean gamblers should pray that the government does not block VPN services as that will put an end to their online casino and gambling activities once and for all.

As alluded to earlier, the South Korean government implements strict gambling laws, making it difficult for any person to participate in or patronize online casinos. That means online casinos are illegal in South Korea.

However, the laws are difficult to enforce, especially with how widespread modern technology has become. It's incredibly easy for people living in South Korea to access online casinos via VPN services, which renders all government efforts ineffective since there is no way of knowing who accesses what site when.

Willing players and willing casinos

What makes the situation even worse is that South Koreans love gambling, and online casino operators understand this.

That is why they continue creating new ways to attract South Korean players, which means that even if the government were to block access to these sites successfully, there is always a good chance of them popping up again.

That said, South Koreans should take it upon themselves to ensure that they gamble responsibly. It is also vital that they research the online casinos they plan on patronizing before actually depositing any money.

One of the greatest benefits for South Korean online players is bonuses. You can have your pick among a great range of promotional offers no matter where you turn.

Not all bonuses are worth claiming though. Make sure to read through the terms and conditions. Have a look at important factors such as wagering requirements, and if any restrictions are in place (Maximum Bet, Restricted Games).

• Welcome Bonuses - The welcome bonus is a player favorite, offered by an online casino in Korea to newcomers on their first or first few deposits. Your typical welcome bonus looks like this: 100% match up to €100 – doubling your initial playing budget. But many sign-up offers go beyond that, and it’s not uncommon to see a €500 bonus.
• Free Spins Bonuses - On occasion, your sign-up deposit match will be paired with a good amount of free spins i.e. 100% up to €100 + 30 Free Spins. Free Spins bonuses work as usual. The difference is, that all winnings from your spins will be later converted into bonus cash that needs to be wagered at an online casino in Korea. Some free spins offers are wager-free, but those are not as common.
• No Deposit Bonuses - No Deposit Bonuses are fairly self-explanatory, and they aren’t really common. When you come across a no deposit bonus, you’ll notice the very high wagering requirements, and typically a cashout limit to the tune of €100. However, there’s nothing to lose by claiming a bonus of this type. It offers a great way to explore a new Korean casino online with no strings attached.
• Reload & Cashback Bonuses - Reload and Cashback bonuses have taken a backseat in recent times, but they are still reasonably available to players. These bonuses work by returning a portion of your lost winnings at the end of the day, week, or month.

Slot Machines

Classic slots, video slots, and progressives. These games will be the first to catch your eye upon entering an online casino in South Korea. And rightfully so, as slots make up the lion’s share of each casino’s gaming selection. These games are the highest in variety, as they are the preferred game of choice to the majority of casino gamers.

At your typical casino that accepts South Korean players, you can have your pick among hundreds of slots of all kinds. They come in many themes (pop culture, mythology, sci-fi), with a myriad of special features (Megaways, 243-ways to win, cascading reels, stacked wilds, free spins) and the most up-to-date graphics, animations, and sound effects.

To illustrate our point, have a look at Microgaming classics in the likes of:

• Terminator
• The Dark Knight Rises
• Immortal Romance

For the best eye candy on the market, NetEnt titles are a sure bet. The hallmark products of the Swedish provider and games are:

• Starburst
• Aliens
• Dead or alive
• Blood Suckers

Progressive slots are also on the menu. Many online progressives are known to dish out 6, 7, and 8-digit jackpots on the regular. The record payout is £13m+ on Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, which came from a lucky 25p spin for a player from the UK. NetEnt’s Mega Fortune is similar in that regard, but plenty of other jackpots await.

Table Games

Slots may be the most popular casino game on the market, but a Korean casino can’t be complete without a good set of table games. Indeed, those who prefer games of skill can have plenty to look forward to in the online world. The usual staples in the likes of Blackjack, Roulette, and Poker are always on offer.

What’s more, there are many variants, such as Atlantic City Blackjack, Vegas Single Deck Blackjack, European and American. Even La Partage Roulette, Sic Bo, Punto Banco, Oasis Poker – we could go on and on.

Video Poker

A well-rounded gaming selection online casino in Korea should always include a few video poker titles. This is usually the case with South Korean online casinos. Through titles such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Aces & Eights, Joker Pro, and others, players can enjoy a wide variety of video poker. These games offer great payout potential, decent graphics, and highly engaging gameplay.

Live Casino Games

True table game lovers should do themselves justice and experience live casino gaming. Your typical online casino in Korea will be supplied by live casino giants such as NetEnt or Evolution Gaming.