In an effort to combat illegal gambling, the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, the operator of South Korea's official sports betting platform Sports Toto, is offering rewards for whistleblowers. Reported cases of illegal sportsbook platforms will be compensated at 15,000 won (approximately $10) for each site disclosed, with a monthly cap of 1.5 million won (just under $1,000). However, individual claims are limited to 100,000 won (over $65) for the entire reporting period, according to the South Korean news agency Yonhap.
The foundation aims to deter illegal gambling activity, particularly during the ongoing World Cup, as soccer fans increasingly turn to unauthorized platforms for betting. This initiative follows Sports Toto's recent launch of a World Cup prediction feature allowing gamblers to place bets on the tournament winner.
Payouts to whistleblowers hinge on the Broadcasting and Communications Deliberation Commission's response to reports, as it can block sites deemed illegal. Simultaneously, the Korea Gambling Control Commission is also in a heightened state of alert, engaging in an "intensive reporting period" that will conclude on August 31. They are responding to what they describe as rampant illegal sports gambling linked to the World Cup.
As part of its broader mission, the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation has roots dating back to 2001, preceding South Korea's co-hosting of the 2002 World Cup. All revenue from Sports Toto and its sister brand, Proto, is directed to the National Sports Promotion Fund, which supports grassroots and professional sports teams.
Registered bettors can place wagers through designated stores or via the Sports Toto online platform, Betman. However, concerns have emerged over youth gambling, with reports indicating that some teenagers are resorting to stealing ID documents to gain access to Betman, where they may spend up to five hours daily placing bets.
Sports Toto generates annual revenues estimated at around $4 billion. Recently, Korea Sports Leisure, tasked with overseeing the lottery, has been known to offer informants cash rewards of up to $134,000 for leads on potential match-fixing incidents.
