사행산업의 ‘도박중독’에 관한 고찰

A Review on the Problem Gambling in Korea: An Evaluation

This study examined the characteristics of Korean gambling industry. It also suggests prevent measures of proliferation of problem gambling in Korea. A critical look at the related literatures suggested that the Korea gambling industry could be characterized as a state-run gambling industry. It also showed that more than 6 varieties of gambling have been licensed in Korea and they are the most diverse kinds of license among OECD member countries. Moreover, many local governments still make an effort to attract gambling industry to their region. Even though problem gambling has been widely regarded as a kind of psychiatric disorder, this study suggests that the traditional perspective on problem gambling is limited in understanding problem gambling. This study also maintains that the macro approach, which focuses on the social structure factor of problem gambling such as poverty, is more appropriate to solve the problem gambling than the micro approaches which focuses on gamblers' micro psychology. Finally, this study proposes that social welfare system for the citizens should be improved to lower the participation rate of problem gambling.