Erdogan Orders Elimination of Illegal iGaming and Virtual Gambling in Turkey by 2027
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has instructed his cabinet to completely shut down access to illegal iGaming operators before the 2027 parliamentary elections.
Erdogan called gambling a “plague on society that destroys families and faith” and for the first time personally took charge of efforts to combat illegal and virtual gambling. His statement followed a series of media reports in which citizens and public figures voiced alarm over the spread of online gaming and betting among young people.
Erdogan’s Directive: A National Plan Against Illegal iGaming
During a cabinet meeting, the president discussed a comprehensive action plan involving financial regulators, intelligence agencies, and oversight bodies. Particular attention is being given to operators registered in Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Georgia — countries frequently linked to illegal betting activity targeting Turkey.
According to Erdogan, Turkey is ready to consider sanctions against offshore jurisdictions that issue licenses to such companies.
Main Measures
- Blocking online platforms that accept bets without a Turkish license;
- Monitoring financial flows and cooperating with banks to stop transfers to illegal sites;
- Working with international organizations to detect money laundering schemes;
- Launching a public hotline for reporting illegal online gambling.
Public Reaction and Social Support
The issue of illegal online gambling has sparked widespread public concern. Turkish newspapers have repeatedly highlighted the rise of virtual gambling and its devastating impact on families.
In an article titled “Bir Eğitimcinin Sanal Kumar Feryadı” (“A Teacher’s Cry Over Virtual Gambling”), retired educator Ismail Tasdelen urged the president to take action, sharing that he had lost two sons and witnessed “hundreds of young people destroying their lives on virtual sites.” He warned families to pay close attention to their children’s online activities.
Another article, published on September 8 under the headline “Gençler Sanal Kumar Batağında” (“Youth Sinking into Virtual Gambling”), quoted publisher Mustafa Bezbas, who said that in the Thrace region, families were selling homes and farmland to cover debts from online betting.
Social Consequences
| Region | Consequences of Illegal Gambling |
|---|---|
| Thrace | Sale of homes and land due to betting-related debt |
| Major cities | Rising number of young gamblers aged 15–24 |
| Rural areas | Loss of family savings and social fragmentation |
Erdogan: “This Threat Is Beyond Politics”
Speaking after the cabinet meeting, the president emphasized that the fight against illegal gambling transcends politics and requires the involvement of all citizens.
“This scourge destroys homes, takes away livelihoods and hope. We must root it out completely,” Erdogan declared. He noted that with the spread of the internet and smartphones, virtual betting has become accessible even to teenagers, and addiction is growing faster than that to alcohol or drugs.
According to a report by the “Yeşilay” organization, the average age of gamblers in Turkey has dropped below 15, and the number of help requests for gambling addiction now exceeds those for alcohol or substance abuse.
Coordinated Action
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz has been appointed to lead the task force preparing the national plan against illegal iGaming. The plan was reviewed in detail during the cabinet session. Erdogan stressed that despite the challenges of regulating digital flows, Turkey will deploy every available resource—from financial intelligence to the judiciary.
“We see that these networks are managed from abroad — from Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro, and Georgia. They are building a black market comparable in scale to drug trafficking. We must eliminate it before it destroys more families,” the president stated.
The Role of Society
Erdogan called on parents, teachers, and local communities to take part in the effort, saying that no government program can eradicate gambling addiction among youth without public engagement.
Ismail Tasdelen thanked the president for his response: “I believe that if families and the authorities join forces, our nation can free itself from this scourge.”