South Korean comedian receives suspended prison sentence over illegal gambling

• Comedian Lee Jin-ho faced legal woes over drunk driving and gambling more than $600,000 via illegal websites
• The defendant admitted to charges of habitual gambling and drunk driving
• Jin-ho received a suspended prison sentence

A popular comedian from South Korea received a suspended prison sentence after gambling via illegal websites and drunk driving.

The criminal case involves the 39-year-old Lee Jin-ho, famous for popular programs like Knowing Bros and Comedy Big League.

Illegal gambling and DUI result in charges against the comedian

The comedian faced formal charges after allegedly exchanging 870m Korean won, or approximately $631,600, into cryptocurrency and engaging in gambling with unregulated casinos.

According to the prosecution, Jin-ho completed 664 gambling-related transactions between May 11, 2023, and October 14, 2024.

As a result, he was charged with habitual gambling. Once news about the ordeal became public, Jin-ho released a statement via social media acknowledging that he gambled via an "illegal website."

Besides the charges related to compulsive gambling, the famous comedian was charged with driving under the influence.

On September 24, 2025, Jin-ho allegedly drove from Incheon to his residence in Gyeonggi Province after drinking alcohol.

At the time, his blood alcohol level was measured at 0.12%, which required his driver’s license to be revoked.

In mid-August, the prosecution requested the defendant to be sentenced to two years in prison, explaining that he was driving under the influence and converted hundreds of millions of Korean won into cryptocurrency and gambled with it online.

According to a report by The Chosun Daily, Jin-ho admitted to the charges and he said: "Since committing the wrongdoing, I have lived without a single day of peace, filled with regret." The comedian also vowed to "never commit a crime again."

Earlier this week, in the Suwon District Court Yeoju Branch, the Presiding Judge An Tae-yun sentenced Jin-ho to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years.

Besides the suspended prison sentence, the comedian was also ordered to complete 120 hours of community service.

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