North Korea, one of the most isolated and secretive countries in the world, maintains strict control over almost all aspects of its citizens’ lives. Among the many areas tightly regulated by the regime is gambling. In stark contrast to countries like Macau or Las Vegas, where casinos are a key part of the economy and culture, North Korea operates under a total prohibition of gambling for its citizens. However, the country does permit certain forms of gambling for foreign visitors, and it’s clear that despite the legal restrictions, there is an underlying fascination with betting. Here are five interesting points about gambling in North Korea:
1. Gambling is Strictly Prohibited for Citizens:
In North Korea, gambling is officially illegal for the general population. The government controls nearly every aspect of daily life, including recreational activities, and gambling is seen as a potential source of corruption and a threat to social stability. The ruling Kim regime adheres to an ideology of self-reliance, often referred to as “Juche,” which promotes the idea that the state should protect its people from foreign influences, including what the government considers harmful vices like gambling.
For the average North Korean citizen, the penalty for gambling can be severe. Those caught gambling illegally can face imprisonment, forced labor, or even harsher penalties, depending on the severity of the offense. The government keeps a tight grip on this aspect of society, fearing that uncontrolled gambling could lead to social unrest or undermine the regime’s authority.
2. Casinos for Foreign Tourists:
Despite the ban on gambling for citizens, North Korea does operate casinos that are open to foreign tourists. These casinos are located in a few select areas, such as the capital city of Pyongyang and the Rason Special Economic Zone in the northeastern part of the country. The government allows foreign nationals, typically from China, Russia, and other countries, to gamble in these casinos as a way to attract hard currency and boost the country’s limited tourism sector.
The casinos in North Korea are relatively small compared to international standards, and their operations are tightly controlled. The gaming options are basic, offering traditional games such as baccarat, blackjack, and roulette, along with some slot machines. The number of casinos is limited, and the facilities cater mostly to high rollers and government-approved visitors, rather than large-scale tourism.
3. Gambling as a Source of Revenue for the Regime:
One of the most intriguing aspects of gambling in North Korea is its role as a source of revenue for the government. While gambling is illegal for citizens, the regime has recognized the economic potential of catering to foreign visitors. The foreign-only casinos allow the country to earn valuable hard currency, which can be used to fund state projects, enrich the ruling elite, and sustain the country’s fragile economy.
The regime has also used casinos as a way to attract business from neighboring countries like China. In fact, many of the visitors to these casinos are Chinese tourists, who are often more than willing to take part in gambling activities while enjoying a break from the restrictions they face at home. This revenue stream, while limited, provides an important financial lifeline to the state, especially considering the ongoing international sanctions that have stifled much of North Korea’s broader economy.
4. The Role of Corruption and Underground Gambling:
Although gambling is officially banned for North Koreans, this does not mean that the practice is entirely absent from the country. Like many authoritarian regimes with strict prohibitions, North Korea has an underground economy where illegal activities take place behind closed doors. Gambling, particularly in the form of private betting games, is rumored to be common among the elite and powerful in the country.
In fact, some reports suggest that high-ranking officials, businesspeople, and even members of the ruling Kim family may indulge in private gambling sessions in undisclosed locations. There are also rumors of secretive gambling rings operating in the more affluent areas of Pyongyang, where foreign currency can be used to place high-stakes bets. However, these activities are kept well-hidden from the public eye and are fiercely suppressed by the government if exposed.
5. Gambling in North Korean Propaganda:
Interestingly, North Korea’s state-run media has occasionally featured gambling in its propaganda, but the messages are not always what one might expect. Rather than presenting gambling as a vice or moral failure, as is common in many other countries, the North Korean regime has, at times, used gambling as a metaphor for the nation’s determination to defy the odds and triumph against external forces.
In some cases, the North Korean government has promoted the idea of “winning” in gambling as a reflection of the country’s broader fight for survival on the world stage. For instance, Pyongyang has occasionally compared the struggles of the country’s leadership to gambling, using it as a metaphor for their defiance against international pressure and sanctions. This portrayal suggests that the regime, despite its strict control over society, views gambling as an important symbol of both risk-taking and victory—at least when it serves the purposes of its propaganda.
Conclusion:
Gambling in North Korea is a complex and secretive issue, shaped by the regime’s desire to maintain control over its citizens while extracting financial benefit from foreign visitors. While gambling is strictly forbidden for North Korean citizens, the country operates foreign-only casinos as part of its broader strategy to generate revenue and enhance its image abroad. These casinos are small and modest, yet they serve as a reminder of the paradoxes that define life in one of the world’s most isolated nations.
Despite the official ban, gambling is rumored to persist in underground circles, particularly among the elite. The government’s stance on gambling—simultaneously prohibitive and commercially pragmatic—illustrates the tension between maintaining control and leveraging the potential benefits of this global vice. In the end, gambling in North Korea remains a symbol of the country’s ability to adapt its policies to suit the needs of the regime, even as it suppresses many freedoms that are taken for granted elsewhere in the world.
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