As Korea’s betting market keeps growing, there’s a real chance that esports could be added to the mix. South Korea is often seen as the home of esports. Competitive gaming has been a big part of the culture for years, with the country dominating major games and broadcasting esports tournaments on TV since the early 2000s.
But despite that, betting on esports matches has never been legal. Until now, Korean bettors have only been allowed to wager on traditional sports and races. That might be changing soon. Thanks to new research and ongoing lobbying, legal esports betting could arrive in Korea as early as 2026.
Gambling is Growing in Korea
According to a report from iGaming Today, Korea’s gambling market reached $9 billion in 2024, and it’s expected to hit $10.5 billion by 2030.
Most of that money comes from games like blackjack, baccarat, tai sai, and pai gow. Almost all gambling happens online since 17 out of the country’s 18 casinos are for foreigners only. The only legal way for Koreans to bet on sports is through Sports Toto, a government-run sportsbook. It’s strictly controlled and has betting limits in place to prevent problem gambling.
Can You Bet on Esports in Korea?
Right now, you can’t legally bet on esports in Korea. Only traditional sports and racing are allowed. But that could change soon.
According to a report from Korean outlet Inven, the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) submitted a proposal to Lee Jae-Myung, a presidential candidate from the Democratic Party, pushing for a legal esports betting platform. Their idea is to create an “Esports Toto,” a state-run system that would let people place bets on esports matches just like they do for sports today. KeSPA says this would give the esports industry a boost and help support Korea’s digital economy.
This isn’t the first time the idea has come up. In 2024, another Korean news source, Naver, reported that Sports Toto had talks with LCK organizers and KeSPA about adding League of Legends to the betting options. That didn’t go anywhere at the time, but it showed that esports is definitely on the radar for betting companies.
Interestingly, Riot Games, the company behind League of Legends and Valorant, recently announced it would allow betting sponsors for teams in both games. While Esports Toto wouldn’t be featured on jerseys, the timing could still open up new investment opportunities for Korean esports teams.
ALSO READ: Faker: The Unstoppable Esports Legend’s Journey
