The South Korean parliament is considering a measure that would raise the minimum age for entry into casinos from 19 to 21. The move is designed to help curtail gambling addiction among the young.
According to Asia Gaming Brief, Kim Kwang-soo of the country’s Party for Democracy and Peace and nine other lawmakers support the bill, which would make changes to two articles of the Tourism Promotion Act and apply to all casinos licensed under the TPA. Of South Korea’s 17 casinos, all but one are open to foreigners only. The exception is Kangwon Land, which permits South Korean gamblers.
Supporters of the legislation point out that 21 is the age limit Macau, Singapore and other popular gaming destinations throughout Asia.
The Korea Casino Association is reportedly considering trying to fight the bill and could introduce an opposing opinion to the country’s National Assembly in order to try to prevent the minimum age from being raised, AGB reported.
