According to the Turkish state news agency Anadolu Agency, authorities ramped up efforts against illegal online gambling, leading to the closure of 233,000 unauthorized websites in 2024. This move aims to curb unlicensed betting activities and protect users from potential fraud.
- Site origins: Investigations revealed that these illegal platforms operated from 95 different countries. Notably, 56% were based in the United States, 17% in Armenia, and 6% in the Netherlands. This international spread complicates enforcement actions.
- Legal actions: By the end of 2024, authorities had filed complaints against 375,367 websites and 6,731 unique domain names. These sites were reported to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for promoting illegal gambling activities. Investigations are ongoing to hold operators accountable.
- Monitoring and reporting: The National Lottery Administration (MPİ) actively monitors both physical and online environments for unauthorized lotteries and gambling. In 2024, MPİ identified 286 unlicensed lotteries and reported them to the relevant prosecutor’s offices. This ensures that illegal operators face legal consequences.
- Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek also pointed out, “We are determined to prevent unregistered economic activities and financial crimes that cause tax loss and victimization of our citizens. We are taking all kinds of measures to prevent illegal betting, virtual gambling and unauthorized draws, and we will continue to do so.”
- Continuous efforts: The government remains committed to combating illegal gambling. Ongoing collaborations with international agencies aim to identify and shut down unauthorized platforms. This proactive approach seeks to safeguard the public and maintain the integrity of the gaming industry.