Online horse race betting began full operation in South Korea in June 2024, after a pilot that ran from December 2023 to June 2024, according to the National Gambling Control Commission1. The commission, which supervises the country's legal gambling sectors, records the sequence as a pilot period followed by formal operation1.
"온라인 마권발매 시범운영 시행('23.12.∼'24.6.), 정식운영 시행('24.6.∼)"
The change followed an amendment to the Korea Racing Authority Act. Act No. 19492 of 20 June 2023 allowed online horse race betting from one year after promulgation, with a minimum online age of 213. The Korea Racing Authority holds the horse racing monopoly and may sell electronic betting tickets online under an annual plan approved by the agriculture ministry, with registration of the bettor's own device and account, an online soundness plan covering purchase caps, and addiction safeguards such as elapsed-time displays3.
The commission's figures show online horse racing sales growing quickly from a small base. Online horse racing gross sales were KRW 144 hundred million in 2023, KRW 7,313 hundred million in 2024 and KRW 13,716 hundred million in 2025, a rise of 87.6 percent between 2024 and 20251. Online users of horse race betting rose from 84 thousand in 2024 to 113 thousand in 2025, up 34.5 percent1.
That growth came as the wider horse racing sector shrank. Total horse racing gross sales fell 1.4 percent to KRW 64,240 hundred million in 2025, with on-track sales down 13.6 percent and off-track sales down 12.2 percent1. Total horse racing attendance fell 9.9 percent to 8,676 thousand1.
| Horse racing channel | 2024 gross sales (KRW 100m) | 2025 gross sales (KRW 100m) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main racecourses (3) | 18,471 | 15,956 | -13.6% |
| Online | 7,313 | 13,716 | +87.6% |
| Off-track sales offices (25) | 39,355 | 34,568 | -12.2% |
| Total | 65,139 | 64,240 | -1.4% |
Source: National Gambling Control Commission1
What it means for players
Online horse race betting in South Korea is a state monopoly run by the Korea Racing Authority, not an open market. The minimum age for the online channel is 21, higher than the 19+ minimum that applies generally to legal gambling in the country3. Betting is done through a registered account tied to the bettor's own device, and the authority operates purchase caps and time displays as part of its online soundness plan3.
Gambling outside the state channels remains a criminal offense in South Korea. Article 246 of the Criminal Act punishes gambling with a fine up to KRW 10 million, except gambling for a mere pastime, and habitual gambling with up to 3 years or KRW 20 million; Article 247 punishes setting up a place for gambling for profit with up to 5 years or KRW 30 million3. The Act also reaches Korean nationals who offend abroad3. Online casino and online poker are prohibited, and there is no license a commercial operator can apply for3.
For visitors, the online racing product is a domestic channel; the land-based racing network covered three main racecourses and 25 off-track sales offices in 20251. Casinos in South Korea are land-based and closed to Korean nationals except Kangwon Land3.
What happens next
The commission's data covers 2025 and shows online horse racing sales continuing to rise while on-track and off-track sales fall1. No further change to the online racing rules has been reported.
Sources3 sources
- 사행산업통합감독위원회, ngcc.go.kr
- 사행산업통합감독위원회, ngcc.go.kr
- South Korea Gambling Licence and Regulation (2026), igaming-times.com
