Turkey’s Ministry of Trade Blocks 30 Social Media Accounts for Illegal Gambling Ads

The Advertising Board of Turkey’s Ministry of Trade has blocked access to 30 high-profile social media accounts found to be promoting illegal betting and gambling platforms. Authorities have also referred the account owners to the relevant institutions to initiate legal proceedings.

This marks a new stage in Turkey’s fight against illegal gambling content. According to the decision, accounts with millions of followers were found directing users to unauthorized betting sites. The move is not only about digital oversight but also aims to protect society—particularly young people—from the risks posed by unregulated gambling.

Ministry Statement: “No Tolerance for Illegal Betting”

The Ministry of Trade announced that, during the Advertising Board’s meeting on August 14, a decision was made to block access in Turkey to 30 social media accounts found to be promoting illegal betting and gambling. The statement emphasized that these accounts had large followings and were actively directing users to unauthorized platforms, encouraging them to gamble.

In addition to blocking the accounts, the Board has referred the matter to relevant authorities to initiate legal investigations into the individuals and organizations linked to them. The Ministry highlighted the importance of protecting young people from the harms of illegal gambling and underlined that the fight against such content will continue “firmly and without interruption.”

The full statement read:

“At the meeting of the Ministry of Trade’s Advertising Board held on August 14, 2025, it was decided to block access to 30 high-profile social media accounts found to be promoting illegal betting and gambling. These accounts were identified as encouraging users to engage in live betting and gambling, directing them to various unlawful websites.

Legal proceedings have been initiated through the relevant authorities against those connected with these accounts. This ongoing fight aims to protect young people from the harms caused by illegal betting and gambling, and will continue in a determined and uninterrupted manner.”

Which Accounts Were Blocked Due to Illegal Betting Promotions?

The Ministry’s official statement did not disclose the names of the accounts. However, Turkish media outlets and social media discussions suggested that several well-known online personalities were among the 30 accounts that faced restrictions. Reports claimed that popular Instagram influencers such as Mert Sarıç, Murat Övüç, and Tuna İpek—each with hundreds of thousands to millions of followers—were allegedly included in the list.

Although there has been no official confirmation that these high-profile influencers were directly targeted, the suggestion that they may have been directing their large audiences to illegal betting platforms drew significant public attention. On Turkish social media, the debate quickly turned into a broader question: “Were influencers being used as a channel to promote illegal gambling?”

Research: The Impact of Gambling Ads

In Turkey, gambling and betting advertisements are considered a particularly sensitive issue. Authorities argue that these ads pose social risks by targeting young people and directing them to illegal websites. But are gambling ads truly as dangerous as officials claim? Scientific research from around the world provides some insight.

• United Kingdom: A study found that about 20% of young adults placed their very first bet because of advertisements.

• Australia: Research on sports broadcasts showed that frequent betting ads during live matches encouraged even those who had never gambled before to “try it once.”

• Germany: High exposure to ads was linked to more positive attitudes toward gambling and a greater willingness to take risks.

• France & the U.S.: Clinical studies revealed that ads—especially promotions and bonuses—intensify gambling habits among those already involved, leading to longer sessions and higher spending.

Experts generally agree that the effects of gambling ads differ by group. For people who have never gambled and are not under financial stress, the impact is often limited to a one-time trial. However, for existing gamblers or those prone to addiction, ads significantly worsen the problem and strengthen addictive behaviors.

Is Legal Gambling Safe, or Is Only the Illegal Side Dangerous?

The government’s recent decision constantly emphasizes the term “illegal betting.” This has sparked public debate in Turkey: is the risk of addiction limited only to illegal platforms?

Experts underline that gambling carries similar psychological risks regardless of whether it is legal or illegal. In other words, state-regulated platforms such as İddaa (sports betting run under government license) or Milli Piyango Online (the national lottery) can also lead to problematic gambling behaviors.

However, the authorities’ main concern seems less about addiction and more about economics and control. Illegal betting platforms are seen as “dangerous” because they operate outside regulation, create tax losses, and are linked to money laundering. Legal platforms, on the other hand, are framed as “safe,” not necessarily because they eliminate risks, but because they are supervised and taxable.

Another striking point is the lack of official research on addiction risks in Turkey’s legal gambling sector. While authorities highlight the harms of illegal betting, there are virtually no studies examining whether legal platforms such as İddaa cause the same psychological problems. This selective focus leads some to argue that the real issue is the money flowing out of the regulated system, rather than the health risks of gambling itself.

And that raises a final question: is the government truly concerned with public safety, or mainly with protecting state-controlled revenue streams?

Unanswered Questions in the Debate

The Advertising Board’s decision to block access to 30 social media accounts was announced as a new step in Turkey’s fight against illegal betting. The Ministry emphasized that the move aims to protect young people from the harmful effects of such content.

But there are still questions left unanswered:

• Is the risk of addiction found only on illegal betting platforms?

• Can state-controlled platforms like İddaa or Milli Piyango Online really be considered safe?

• Is the government’s stance genuinely focused on public health, or is it more about regulation and economic control?

Experts point out that gambling advertisements not only fuel existing addictions but also push individuals who have never gambled before toward their “first try.” This shows that gambling promotions have social impacts regardless of whether they come from legal or illegal platforms.

One thing is certain: the fight against illegal betting will continue in the days ahead. But the broader debate seems likely to grow—not just about which games are banned, but about how the true social impacts of gambling will be addressed.