A comprehensive study of Turkey's digital gambling landscape has uncovered significant public health, regulatory, and financial integrity challenges that go beyond individual gambling choices.
The research, a joint effort with gambling support charity Yeşilay Danışmanlık Merkezi (YEDAM), examined three interconnected datasets spanning from 2020 to April 2025. This included over 22,000 helpline calls, 14,458 initial clinical assessments, and 3,767 social-service records. Additionally, the findings were enhanced by detailed interviews and consultations with policy experts.
The report highlighted a system-driven dependency on gambling, driven by three key factors: constant access to digital gambling platforms, seamless payment methods, and targeted design features that encourage ongoing engagement.
Analyzing customer profiles and usage trends, the average age of individuals seeking treatment was found to be 34.7 years. Problematic gambling was seen across various socio-economic groups, affecting individuals with secondary education and stable employment.
The research indicated that men accounted for approximately 97% of treatment cases, although it suggested that women might be underrepresented in treatment despite their participation in gambling. The highest incidence of gambling issues was noted among younger adults (ages 26-35) and those in mid-career (ages 36-45).
Findings showed that around 83.7% of participants concealed their gambling from family, with 46% experiencing social exclusion. Many reported gambling during work hours, leading to reduced focus and productivity, particularly in high-risk jobs like security, gig work, and low-income self-employment.
Participants often began gambling through sports betting, but there has been a recent increase in casino-style digital games. Innovative yet sometimes unclear payment systems, such as digital wallets and instant credit offers, have significantly exacerbated gambling-related harm. Many individuals turned to credit cards, family loans, or informal lenders to finance their gambling, resulting in accumulating debts.
The study found that 84% of participants faced gambling-related debt, with approximately 49.8% owing more than 100,000 TL ($2,033). The primary sources of borrowing were family (52%) and banks (28%). Notably, women were more likely to use credit cards (37.1%), while men favored cash (58%).
Targeted promotions, loyalty programs, auto-play features, rapid spin mechanics, and aggressive retargeting strategies heightened gambling risks. Personalized platform designs extended user engagement while reducing awareness of losses.
The report called on regulated operators to prioritize consumer harm in product governance beyond mere compliance with advertising regulations. It outlined the need for enhanced financial controls and immediate updates to advertising rules.
To address gambling-related issues effectively, the report compared regulations from the UK, Germany, the Nordics, and the US, advocating for targeted harm reduction and greater oversight of digital gambling. Recommendations included AI-assisted transaction monitoring and improved collaboration between financial crime authorities, banking regulators, and law enforcement.
It also called for the implementation of measures learned from international standards, like deposit limits and better self-exclusion tool utilization across licensed services. There was an urgent need for updates to digital advertising regulations, with specific classifications for “indirect gambling promotion” and stricter rules for youth-targeted media platforms.
YEDAM data indicated a substantial unmet demand for counseling services and identified stigma as a barrier to seeking help. The report suggested increasing access to digital counseling, anonymous helplines, family support programs, and group therapy.
In tandem with these efforts, Turkey has been intensifying its crackdown on illegal betting networks.
Recently, Turkish law enforcement launched an extensive operation against illegal betting operations across eight provinces, following inquiries that revealed suspicious financial activities linked to 177 suspects, totaling TL17.75 billion.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi characterized the black market as a "scourge that corrupts society," noting that illegal gambling costs Turkey $40 billion annually. He emphasized the moral and social implications, stating that each gambling instance could ruin a young person's future, reinforcing that gambling is haram (forbidden) both culturally and religiously.
