Ordering his cabinet to shut down unlicensed operators once and for all, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has put illegal online gambling in his crosshairs. Insiders described the move as his toughest stance yet on a social issue. It comes as gambling addiction and financial crime continue to spread across Turkey.
The directive or Erdoğan leaves little room for compromise. The government has instructed ministers to restrict access to offshore betting sites and crypto casinos, cutting Turkish players off well before the next general election in 2027.
Online gambling has quietly turned into a national headache over the past few years. Thousands of young people, lured by promises of quick wins, have ended up in debt or worse. News outlets report that students are losing their savings to illegal betting apps. Civil servants are also falling victim. Even police officers have fallen victim.
Figures from the leading addiction charity of Turkey, Green Crescent, paint a bleak picture. Almost one in three people looking for help for addiction are now struggling with gambling-related issues. Mental health professionals warn that the psychological toll is rising. Anxiety, depression, and shame are becoming disturbingly common. Many are trapped in a relentless cycle.
Vice President Cevdet Yulmaz will lead a multi-agency crackdown. Financial regulators, law enforcement, and cybersecurity units will work together. They aim to trace the flow of money through banks, payment processors, and crypto channels. The goal is simple: stop illegal operators from accessing Turkish players of laundering money by the system.
Specifically in Malta, Montenegro, Northern Cyprus, as well as Georgia, officials are also preparing to go after companies based abroad. These regions are often linked to offshore betting networks. Authorities accuse these international operations of moving millions of euros in and out of Turkey under the radar.
