South Korean Convenience Store Owner Booked Over Installing Gambling Machine

Police in South Korea have arrested an anonymous convenience store owner after authorities received a tip that the person had installed a gambling machine on the premises of the venue. The convenience store’s name was not specified, but official reports indicate that it was based near an elementary school, the Bukbu Police Precinct in Ulsan said on Monday.

Convenience Store Installed Gambling Machine Near Elementary School

The man, who is in his 30s, was booked but not detained and has been charged under the Act on Special Cases Concerning Regulation and Punishment of Speculative Acts. The suspect is accused of installing a single gambling machine on his property, and he offered cash rewards to winning players.

The tip-off was made anonymously and told the police that the arcade machine installed in the store in question appeared to be akin to gambling.

When visiting the convenience store themselves, police confirmed that the arcane machine in question dispensed coins from its prize slit, leading them to conclude that the machine was indeed part of an illegal gambling operation, whether the store owner had known about it or not.

Owner Unaware of the Illegality of Practice

Police also retrieved 100-won coins that were used to fuel the machine and produce outcomes. The store itself was located 300 meters from an elementary school, and also sold items such as snacks, so children were visiting it.

The convenience store owner was indeed unaware that they had done anything illegal. The man was not aware that installing such arcade machines, which could incentivize players by paying out real cash through the store, was prohibited in South Korea.

This is not the first time underage individuals have been targeted. In another case, South Korean authorities busted an illegal gambling operation that targeted teens. In another case, a man was indicted for hosting, developing, and selling illegal gambling websites, which generated significant revenue.