Allegations of 'making the state pay a 400 million TL loss': Statement from Demirören Holding on 'Milli Piyango'

It was alleged that Milli Piyango, which was transferred to a partnership between Demirören Holding and the Italian company Sisal for a 10-year period in 2020, incurred a loss of 400 million lira in 2023 and made the state pay for this loss. 

In a report by DW Türkçe, it was stated that Milli Piyango, under Demirören's management, did not transfer 356 million lira that it was required to transfer to the Wealth Fund.

Demirören issued a statement denying the allegation in question.

In the statement, it was said, "The revenue from the games of chance played is transferred regularly from the dealers' bank accounts directly to the Turkey Wealth Fund's bank accounts, and Sisal Şans has no right of disposal over the collected revenue."

The statement, which noted that "there is no loss in the operations of Milli Piyango Games as alleged in the news," also stated that legal action would be taken.

The statement made by Demirören Holding is as follows:

"We would like to state that we read a news report published by an international media organization in recent days with great astonishment. In the news in question, the facts regarding the obligations that Demirören Holding fulfills every year to the Turkey Wealth Fund have been distorted.

Our subsidiary, Sisal Şans İnteraktif Hizmetler ve Şans Oyunları A.Ş. ("Sisal Şans"), has been authorized by the license holder, the Turkey Wealth Fund, to organize games of chance approved by the Turkey Wealth Fund, under the Decree Law No. 320 on Milli Piyango, subject to the monitoring and supervision of the General Directorate of the T.R. Milli Piyango Administration, and continues its activities as a contractor working with a commission model. In this context, the revenue from the games of chance played is transferred regularly from the dealers' bank accounts directly to the Turkey Wealth Fund's bank accounts, and Sisal Şans has no right of disposal over the collected revenue.

Our subsidiary Sisal Şans, which has been authorized by the license holder, the Turkey Wealth Fund, to organize games of chance, has been successfully carrying out the work and services within the framework of the contract since August 1, 2020. As Demirören Holding, we are proud to state that thanks to developments such as the technological innovations implemented by the Turkey Wealth Fund and our subsidiary Sisal Şans, world-class game management, and increased efficiency in operational processes, an increase far above the figures committed according to the contract has been recorded in the revenues transferred to the public.

There is no loss in the operations of Milli Piyango Games as alleged in the news. Furthermore, Demirören Holding and its subsidiaries fulfill all their obligations completely within the framework determined by law.

Such news, which is baseless and intended to distort the facts, creates misleading perceptions in society and damages the flow of reliable information.

We present to the public's information that we will fight decisively against all kinds of news containing disinformation by resorting to legal means."