Turkish Authorities Target Illegal Gambling Promotion with Social Media Account Blocks

Advertising Board Takes Action Against Unlicensed Promotion

The Turkish Ministry of Trade confirmed that a regulatory review conducted by the Advertising Board resulted in a ban on access to 30 social media accounts. The investigation determined that these accounts, which spanned platforms including YouTube, were sharing content designed to encourage public participation in illegal gambling, specifically mentioning live betting.

The Advertising Board justified its decision by citing violations of both the country’s Regulation on Commercial Advertising and Unfair Commercial Practices and the national Consumer Protection Law. Operators of the affected accounts have been warned that permanent shutdown will follow if the infringing content is not fully removed

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Context of Gambling Laws in Turkey

Gambling in Turkey is strictly limited. Casinos were banned in 1998, and non-state online gambling was outlawed in 2006. Today, the state-run lottery, Milli Piyango, and a small number of licensed betting services – including some online options – remain legal.

Despite these restrictions, illegal online gambling continues to be widespread, especially in connection with professional football.

Ongoing Enforcement Efforts

The Turkish government has made repeated attempts to curb illegal gambling activity. Efforts have focused on shutting down websites, restricting social media advertising, and disrupting payment networks linked to unlawful betting.

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However, critics argue that these restrictions often go beyond gambling-related concerns. They claim the government has used them as part of wider efforts to control digital platforms and restrict online content that it considers politically sensitive.