The Gyeonggi Province Office of Education has formalized a partnership with South Korea’s Gambling Control Commission (KGCC) aimed at preventing youth gambling. This memorandum of understanding, signed at Osan Seongho Middle School on Monday, seeks to address the growing gambling exposure among students through smartphones.
The initiative combines educational prevention efforts with broader school initiatives. It incorporates a dual strategy linking gambling prevention education with a plan to promote a "phone-free" environment, alongside RAS education, which stands for reading, arts, and sports. This combination aims to engage students in structured activities that do not involve screens, thereby minimizing their exposure to gambling content.
The KGCC, which operates under the prime minister's office and oversees the regulation of gambling and illegal gambling monitoring, will work closely with the Gyeonggi education office. The collaboration will involve policy coordination, protection for students, and the sharing of educational materials and expertise. The partnership is also expected to evaluate operational data, develop pilot programs, and create a model for potential nationwide application.
The focus is on a sustained approach to prevention rather than temporary solutions, concentrating on integrating gambling prevention into daily school activities. This strategy includes restricting smartphone usage while facilitating engaging RAS activities, effectively steering students away from gambling exposure.
At the signing event, Gyeonggi education chief An Min-seok highlighted the pressing nature of the issue. He stated, "To effectively respond to youth gambling problems, close cooperation between the Office of Education, which understands the school environment best, and specialized prevention and treatment institutions is necessary." He expressed hope that the agreement would lead to actionable policies rather than just being a ceremonial gesture.
South Korea joins other regions, including Ireland, which launched a national campaign in July to help parents and guardians identify and address underage gambling. This campaign utilizes various media outlets, including video-on-demand services, radio, digital audio networks, and social media to reach families.
