Turkey’s Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Expands to Social Media
Turkey Targets Social Media Accounts Promoting Illegal Gambling
Turkey’s Advertising Board has recently identified and taken action against 30 social media accounts that were found to be promoting illegal gambling and betting activities. This move is part of Turkey’s intensive efforts to curb unlawful gambling within the country.
Support from Trade Ministry Reinforces Enforcement
The country’s Trade Ministry publicly announced the crackdown on Tuesday, further emphasizing the government’s commitment to restricting the influence of illegal gambling operations.
Focus on YouTube Channels and Influencers
The enforcement targeted not only various YouTube channels but also social media handles and influencers. Investigations revealed these accounts were advertising illegal gambling services and sharing promotional links, which violated Turkey’s regulations.
Legal Framework Behind the Actions
The actions were taken based on breaches of the Regulation on Commercial Advertising, Unfair Commercial Practices, and the Consumer Protection Law, all designed to protect consumers from misleading and illegal commercial activities.
Comprehensive Measures Against Online Gambling
This latest operation aligns with Turkey’s broader strategy to limit the reach of gambling websites, promotional content on social media, and payment services associated with illegal gambling practices. The country enforces strict anti-gambling laws targeting online casinos and similar platforms.
International Context of Anti-Gambling Efforts
Turkey is not alone in adopting targeted bans and investigations to combat unregulated gambling. For instance, the Netherlands recently acted against social media influencers who promoted non-compliant gambling websites.
Significant Scale of Enforcement Activities in Turkey
The recent identification of 30 social media accounts is just a small part of Turkey’s extensive anti-illegal gambling campaign. Earlier reports from 2024 indicate that over 233,000 illegal gambling sites have already been blocked in the country this year, demonstrating ongoing and vigorous enforcement efforts.
