Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has delivered his most severe condemnation of the gambling industry to date, identifying illegal betting as a national threat comparable to terrorism.
Speaking at the launch of TRT Genç, a new state-run youth broadcaster, Erdoğan warned that digital platforms and mobile phones were transforming into “casinos,” directly targeting the structure of the Turkish family.
The President did not mince words regarding the social cost of these activities. He cited gambling, alongside drugs and alcohol, as primary drivers of divorce and social collapse.
“The family institution is under attack and under siege like never before,” Erdoğan stated. “Drug, alcohol, online betting, gambling and cigarette addiction have reached levels that are as destructive as terrorism — if not more. Resources that should go to production, education and healthcare are instead feeding the enemies of humanity.”
Legislative and Financial Crackdown
The rhetoric is backed by concrete legislative action. Erdoğan confirmed that the government, in coordination with Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, has enacted amendments to the Penal Code to stiffen penalties for illegal gambling operators and facilitators.
Furthermore, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) will see its powers significantly expanded from February 1. The agency will assume direct supervisory authority over financial transactions in high-risk sectors, tightening the net around payment systems and digital wallets used by offshore operators.
Mobilizing Society
Acknowledging that enforcement alone is insufficient, the Turkish President called for a “spirit of mobilisation” involving educators, families, and media. This strategy aligns with insights suggesting that the AKP government views the eradication of illegal gambling as a critical pillar for the upcoming 2027-2028 election cycle.
“We will not allow our youth to be sacrificed to these networks,” Erdoğan vowed. “This struggle will continue with determination until illegal gambling is wiped out.”
