The Korea Racing Authority (KRA) started formally operating online sales of horse racing betting tickets from June 21, 2024, according to Yonhap News1. The service runs through the mobile app Derby On1.
Until now, betting tickets could only be bought inside the country's three racecourses and 26 off-track betting branches1. Under the online system, any South Korean adult aged 21 or over who has completed in-person verification can buy tickets through the Derby On app away from a racecourse1.
The process has two steps. A user first applies for the online service in the Derby On app, then must visit an in-person registration center to be approved before the service can be used1.
"온라인 마권 발매 정식 운영을 맞아 건전한 경마 문화 확산과 디지털 기반의 고객 서비스 환경 구축을 위해 한층 더 노력하겠다"
The KRA did not state in the report how many people had registered, what betting limits apply, or which races are covered by the app. Those details have not been reported1.
What it means for players
For South Korean adults aged 21 and over, horse racing betting is no longer tied to a physical racecourse or off-track branch. The account is opened in the app but activated only after an in-person check at a registration center, so the first step still requires a visit1. The report describes eligibility as South Korean adults, so foreign residents and visitors are not covered by the stated terms1. Nothing in the report changes the rules for other forms of gambling, and no limits, deposit rules or fees for the app were given1.
What happens next
No further dates were announced. The report gives no timetable for expanding the service, adding bet types or opening registration to other groups1.
Sources1 sources
- 한국마사회, 21일부터 온라인 마권 발매 정식 운영 | 연합뉴스, yna.co.kr
