Erdoğan Orders Full Turkish State to Fight Illegal Gambling

Two-year Action Plan with Top-level Oversight

The Action Plan for Combating Illegal Betting, Games of Chance, and Gambling in Virtual Environments (2025-2026) was formally enacted through the Resmi Gazete on 1 November.

The document emphasizes that illicit gambling has destabilized family structures, increased financial crime and money laundering, and exposed young people to addiction risks. Erdoğan’s signature signals a clear political commitment to deliver measurable results within the next 24 months.

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Rising Pressure – Youth Gambling and Addiction Concerns

Public health organizations and media outlets have heightened scrutiny of how minors gain access to illegal betting platforms. Even traditionally pro-government publishers such as Sabah and the Albayrak Media Group have acknowledged widespread vulnerabilities. According to Yeşilay, gambling now accounts for more than one in four addiction consultations nationwide.

With these warnings dominating headlines, Erdoğan publicly expressed “shame” that the problem has been allowed to grow and vowed that Turkey would not enter the 2027 election period with online gambling still rampant.

Enforcement Struggle in 2025 Reveals Growing Threat

Despite intensified policing in 2025, illegal operators remain resilient and technologically agile. Hundreds of unlicensed sportsbooks and crypto casinos have been blocked, only to resurface using mirror domains, influencer-driven promotion, and alternative payment systems.

The most significant case emerged through the Papara scandal, which revealed how over ₺12.9 billion (€340 million) in illicit gambling transactions had been processed through tens of thousands of accounts. Investigators from MASAK and the National Intelligence Organization believe they now understand the structure of the networks targeting Turkish consumers – but warn that domestic enforcement alone may not be enough.

Multi-agency Coordination to Block Platforms and Financial Flows

The plan establishes a new enforcement architecture led by MASAK, which will coordinate actions across ministries, regulators and law enforcement agencies. Cybercrime divisions within the Ministry of Interior are being tasked with direct intervention against digital platforms and promotional channels, while the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) expands its mandate to rapidly block websites, social apps and streaming portals linked to unlicensed play.

The Ministry of Treasury and Finance is introducing tighter monitoring of payment flows and anti-money-laundering controls, while the Ministry of Justice will prioritize gambling-related prosecutions to accelerate legal outcomes. The Directorate of Communications will ensure that promotional material, advertising and influencer activity does not facilitate illegal gambling in any form. Together, these institutions will enforce what the circular describes as a “comprehensive, nationwide effort” to regain control of the online space.

Pressure on Tech, Media and Foreign Jurisdictions

The circular issues strong warnings to domestic companies operating in media, technology and fintech. Authorities argue that platforms that accept advertising revenue from illegal operators, fail to remove promotional content, or provide payment channels without oversight are indirectly enabling the black-market economy. Non-compliant firms may face operational penalties, license reviews or restrictions from the BTK.

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At the international level, the government intends to increase pressure on foreign jurisdictions – including Malta, Montenegro, Cyprus, North Macedonia and Georgia – which Turkey accuses of hosting or tolerating operators that target Turkish consumers. Officials indicate that Ankara will seek cooperation, but is also prepared to impose sanctions where necessary.

Opposition: “Too Little, Too Late”

While the government frames the action plan as a defensive measure to protect society, opposition parties argue that the ruling AKP failed to address the issue for more than a decade.

CHP politician Muharrem İnce called the move “political theatre,” claiming that online gambling could have been shut down quickly in the mid-2010s if there had been political will. Criticism from the Yenilik Partisi and others suggests the crackdown will avoid exposing sensitive financial relationships within Turkey’s business community.

Political Test for Erdoğan

This initiative arrives at a pivotal moment for Erdoğan, as his approval ratings face pressure from economic instability, high inflation, and volatile exchange rates. Protests in Istanbul earlier this year, triggered by the arrest of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, further challenged the government’s authority. Against this backdrop, the illegal gambling campaign is expected to serve not only as a public-welfare measure but also as a demonstration of political control.

For critics, the president’s drive reflects a struggle to regain momentum after his most turbulent year in office. For supporters, it stands as a commitment to social protection. In either case, Turkey’s 2025–2026 crackdown will be closely watched – both domestically and abroad – as the government seeks to secure a decisive victory over one of its most widespread digital threats.