Turkey’s Treasury and Finance Ministry’s National Lottery Administration , through its National Lottery Administration (MPI), blocked access to 233,000 illegal betting and gambling websites in 2024, as per a report by the state-run Anadolu Agency on January 26. The move was part of an ongoing crackdown against unauthorised gambling activities in Turkey.
The MPI, operating under the Ministry of Treasury and Finance (MoTF), identified these websites and requested their blockage. The sites were also reported to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the National Cyber Crimes Department to initiate criminal investigations.
This figure reflects a substantial increase from 2023, when 168,000 illegal websites were shut down. Of the websites targeted in 2024, 56% originated in the United States, 17% in Armenia, and 6% in the Netherlands.
IDDAA, the state-owned sports betting company, remains the only entity legally permitted to provide online gambling services to Turkish citizens.
Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek emphasised the government’s commitment to combating illegal gambling. “We are determined to prevent unregistered economic activities and financial crimes that cause tax loss and victimisation of our citizens. We are taking all kinds of measures to prevent illegal betting, virtual gambling and unauthorised draws, and we will continue to do so,” Şimşek said.
The administration has also focused on curbing unauthorised lottery draws. In 2024, it filed criminal complaints against 286 such operations, requesting legal action against businesses and individuals responsible. Şimşek warned that organising lotteries without permission from the National Lottery Administration is punishable by up to six years in prison and judicial fines.
“Permission is required for organising any kind of lottery or raffle for paid or free goods,” Şimşek said, adding that violators would face administrative, financial, or criminal penalties as stipulated by law.
Despite strict anti-gambling laws, illegal betting has continued to flourish in Turkey, fuelled by advancements in technology and the influence of social media. Digital platforms offer a veil of anonymity, making it easier for illegal operators to act without being detected. Influencers with large followings are known to do this quite openly on social media, thus luring people into gambling. This jeopardises not only public welfare but also the very economic backbone of the nation.
Turkey has stringent laws governing gambling, but enforcement remains a challenge. Beyond the legal ramifications, influencers promoting illegal betting face ethical dilemmas, as their actions harm their audience and society at large.
Welcome to Gambling Consulting Authority (GCA) - Your Strategic Partner in Gambling Industry Advancement
