Turkey’s AKP government has committed to fully eliminating illegal gambling in the country, with newly appointed Justice Minister Akın Gürlek warning that every department is...
Erdoğan pushes gambling crackdown with terrorism comparison
Turkey’s crackdown on gambling has intensified after President Erdoğan described online betting as potentially more dangerous than terrorism.
Speaking at a public event launch, Erdoğan stated that the rise in gambling is the result of the expansion of digital platforms and social media in Turkey. During his anti-gambling talk, the president urged everyone to take action against gambling addiction.
Erdoğan stressed:
“Our family institution is in danger. Almost every phone has become a casino. Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, and online betting have reached levels of harm to our national fabric that are as, or even more, damaging than terrorism. This is the bitter truth of those who try to legitimize gambling on group platforms.”
Ahead of Turkey’s next general election, Erdoğan also announced that he will eliminate illegal gambling “by whatever means necessary”, including targeting facilitators of online gambling.
Turkey’s position against gambling has been in place since 1996, when all forms of gambling were banned. Although the fight against land-based casinos was successful, online gambling is still accessible in the country. However, under Erdoğan’s rule, efforts to remove online gambling have increased with cybercrime units that monitor and knock down such operations.
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