South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, has become a significant player in the online betting world. Whether you’re interested in esports tournaments held in Seoul, the K League football games, or the KBO League’s thrilling baseball matches, this guide will introduce you to the best Korean betting sites to help you start your journey into online sports betting.
Top Betting Sites for Koreans – December 2024
- BK8
Rating: 4.7/5 (325 user ratings)
Bonus: 100% Welcome Bonus
Visit Site - 20Bet Sports
Rating: 4.8/5 (415 user ratings)
Bonus: 100% up to 6,000₱
Visit Site - 1xbet Sports
Rating: 4.65/5 (613 user ratings)
Bonus: 100% up to 5,400₱
Visit Site - BetWinner Sports
Rating: 4.6/5 (223 user ratings)
Bonus: 100% up to 500MYR
Visit Site - 22Bet Sports
Rating: 4.8/5 (671 user ratings)
Bonus: 100% up to 7,500₱
Visit Site
These are some of the top-rated betting sites for South Koreans looking to bet on their favorite sports.
Is Sports Betting Legal in South Korea?
While South Korea once had strict gambling laws, the situation has evolved in recent years. Online betting is highly popular today, and Koreans can legally participate in several forms of betting. The government has made efforts to regulate gambling to ensure a secure environment.
- Legal Betting Options
South Koreans can bet on horse racing, boat racing, and cycling at specific locations. Additionally, the state-run national lottery provides limited sports betting options through Sports Toto and Sports Proto. - Sports Toto
Launched in 2001, Sports Toto is a form of pari-mutuel betting. It allows betting on various sports, including football, baseball, basketball, and more. Funds are pooled, with the government taking a percentage, and the winners share the rest. - Sports Proto
Similar to fixed odds betting at international bookies, Sports Proto offers betting on sports like baseball and basketball, though its odds and payouts are lower than those of foreign betting sites.
How to Bet Online from South Korea
To bet online from South Korea, you’ll need to bypass some obstacles, as local regulations restrict access to international betting platforms. Here’s how you can bet from Korea:
- Set Up an E-Wallet
Choose an e-wallet like NETELLER to handle your transactions. We recommend using euros (EUR) for the currency as many Korean banks do not support USD transfers. - Transfer Funds
Transfer money into your NETELLER account via a wire transfer from your local bank. Be cautious and avoid mentioning betting or gambling to the bank to prevent any issues. - Obtain a NET+ Card
After funding your NETELLER account, order a NET+ MasterCard to easily withdraw or spend your winnings in South Korean won (₩). - Consider Using a VPN
Some online betting sites may be blocked by local ISPs. To overcome this, use a VPN to mask your IP and access the sites without restrictions. - Verify Your Identity
Be prepared to verify your identity, which may involve submitting documents like a utility bill and an English ID to complete the registration process with your chosen betting site. - Choose Your Betting Platform
After setting up your e-wallet and VPN, select a reliable betting site from our list of recommendations to begin placing your bets.
Popular Sports for Betting in South Korea
South Korea has a rich sports culture, producing world-class athletes like footballer Son Heung-min and golfer Inbee Park. While traditional sports like Taekwondo and Ssireum are beloved, bettors are most drawn to global sports, including esports, football, baseball, and golf.
Esports
South Korea is renowned for its esports culture, with many professional gamers emerging from the country. Popular games for betting include League of Legends (LoL), DOTA 2, StarCraft, PUBG, and FIFA. Seoul is home to top-tier esports venues, and fans actively engage in betting on these games.
Baseball
Korea’s national pastime, baseball, is incredibly popular for betting. The KBO League offers many betting opportunities for fans to wager on both domestic and international matches.
Football
Football holds a special place in Korean hearts, with the K League offering exciting betting opportunities. Fans also follow major international leagues, including the English Premier League and the FIFA World Cup.
Golf
South Korean golfers are world-renowned, and betting on golf events like the LPGA Tour is incredibly popular among South Korean bettors.
Legal Gambling in South Korea
For years, South Korea’s legal gambling options were limited to lotteries, horse racing, boat racing, and bicycle racing. However, significant changes have occurred:
- Casinos
Legalized in 2000, South Korea now has several casinos spread across major cities like Seoul and Jeju Island. These casinos offer various games, including slots, poker, blackjack, and baccarat, for foreign tourists. - Sports Toto & Sports Proto
The introduction of Sports Toto and Sports Proto in the late 1990s has provided regulated betting on domestic sports, though it still lacks the variety of international betting platforms. - Relaxation of Gambling Laws
In recent years, there has been a push to relax some gambling laws to make betting more accessible. In 2011, there was even talk of allowing South Koreans entry into casinos that were previously restricted to foreigners.
Conclusion
Online betting in South Korea offers exciting opportunities, especially with esports and popular local sports like football and baseball. By following the right steps to set up e-wallets and use VPNs t
o access international sites, you can enjoy a safe and rewarding online betting experience. Always ensure you are using trusted platforms and stay informed about local laws to keep your betting activities secure.
