Turkey Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling: Over 230,000 Illicit Websites Targeted in Major Sweep
Turkey’s treasury and finance minister pledges to dismantle an expanding illicit gambling sector, amid alarming statistics on illegal online activities.
In a robust response to the burgeoning illegal gambling scene, Turkey’s Treasury and Finance Minister, Mehmet Şimşek, has declared an unwavering commitment to eradicate the nation’s unregulated gaming industry. This pledge comes after a striking report from the General Directorate of the National Lottery Administration (MPI), which uncovered an unprecedented 233,000 illicit gambling websites in 2024 alone.
Rising Numbers of Illicit Websites
The MPI, affiliated with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance (MoTF), revealed the significant rise in the identification of illegal gambling sites, which represented a substantial increase from the previous year’s count of 168,000 sites. A formidable 56% of these illicit websites were traced back to the United States, while 17% were found to be of Armenian origin and 6% attributed to Dutch sources.
In light of these findings, the Turkish government has taken proactive measures, filing requests to block access to these sites. The identified websites were also reported to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the National Cyber Crimes Department for further investigation and legal action.
Legal Landscape of Gambling in Turkey
Under Turkish law, the only legally sanctioned operator of online gambling services is IDDAA, the state-owned sports betting company. This exclusivity underscores the government’s commitment to regulating the gambling sector and curbing illegal activities that could lead to financial exploitation of Turkish citizens.
Minister Şimşek emphasized the government’s firm stance against illegal gambling, stating, ‘We are determined to prevent unregistered economic activities and financial crimes that cause tax loss and victimization of our citizens.’ He assured the public that a comprehensive strategy is being enacted to address illegal betting, virtual gambling, and unauthorized lottery draws comprehensively.
Crackdown on Unauthorized Lottery Draws
In addition to tackling online gambling, the Turkish administration is also focusing on unauthorized lottery operations. The MPI reported that it filed a criminal complaint regarding 286 illegal lottery draws in 2024. Minister Şimşek highlighted the serious implications of organizing a lottery without official permission from the National Lottery Administration, which could lead to imprisonment for up to six years along with severe judicial fines.
‘Permission is required for organizing any kind of lottery or raffle for paid or free goods,” Şimşek warned, elaborating that the crackdown on illegal operators would persist vigorously. ‘Otherwise, administrative, financial, or criminal sanctions stipulated in the relevant legislation may be encountered.’
Conclusion
As Turkey fights against the rampant illegal gambling industry, officials are reinforcing the importance of regulatory compliance in the gaming sector. The government aims not only to protect citizens from the dangers of unregulated gambling but also to secure crucial tax revenues that might otherwise be lost to illegal operations. With ongoing investigations and potential legal ramifications in place, authorities are clearly intent on dismantling the extensive network of illicit gambling and lottery activities that threaten the country’s economic integrity.