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Although the number of people, who have suffered severe
monetary losses because of gambling keeps on increasingly
rapidly, it is surprising to know, that those found culpable
for all these frauds in illegal gambling and related
activities, easily escaped with light punishments.
A recent announcement by The Supreme Court also revealed
that a total of about 170 people were charged last year, for
violating laws regulating gambling, while providing gambling
games.
And what’s more interesting is the fact that out of these
170 accused, about 87 percent were given suspended
sentences, while only 5.3 percent were given severe
sentences.
This growing use of suspended sentences for gambling
associated crimes began to spread not more than five years
ago.
Nearly 30 people were accused for their involvement with
gambling in the year 2001 and about 90 people were given
prison sentence during this time. Only 185 people were given
suspended sentences.
But, as can be seen from the records, the number of those
receiving imprisonments keeps on decreasing. Facts state
that there was a decrease of 13 percent in the year 2002,
9.6 percent decrease in 2003, and another 9.5 percent in
2004.
In contrast, the number of those receiving suspended
sentences continues to rise. There was an increase of about
63 percent in 2002, 63.5 percent in 2003, and another 74
percent in the year 2004.
According to the law, Owners of casinos or gambling
houses can be put through sentences including imprisonment
for up to 3 years, and fined up to 20 million won.
However, a large number of accused in such crimes have only
been given light punishments and sentences.
Giving his views on this issue, Park Keun-Young, an
official from People's Solidarity for Participatory
Democracy said, "Punishment of those involved in gambling
can differ depending on the seriousness of their crimes and
their influences on others."
He however was also of the opinion that since these
violations often lead to a loss of huge amounts of funds,
leading to ordinary people's economic failure, severe
measures must be taken to punish them.
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