Justice Minister Tunç on illegal betting: Penalties will increase, opening accounts without biometric verification or chip-enabled ID will not be possible

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated that the penalties for those engaging in illegal betting will be increased.

The ministry is conducting efforts toprevent crimes committedthroughinformation systems, concrete stepsare being taken, and significant regulations have been introducedregarding mobile lines, Tunç statedTunç emphasized that thisis intended tocombatfraud offensesmore effectively.He highlighted this.

Tunçstated that the legal and administrative infrastructure for combating these crimesstrengtheningthe oversight and sanctionmechanisms, and increasing inter-institutional coordination, he reported that the responsibilities of public institutions have also been defined.

Minister Tunç, on his social media account, in the post hemade, used the following expressions:

"Accounts will not be able to be opened without biometric verification"

"With the regulations in the '11th Judicial Package' accepted by the Turkish Parliament's Justice Commission, for crimes committed using information systems, Stating that suspicious bank and financial accountscan be suspended for up to 48 hours, Tunç continuedas follows:

Illegalbetting, games of chance, and virtual gambling; are widespread, especially on digital platformsundermining familyintegrity,targetingour youth, and posing a threat to public order,it is evolving into adangerousarea.

With the circular published on 31/10/2025 under the signature of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, our state's response to this threatwith allmeans, a determinedwill to fight has beendemonstrated.

Within this scope, the Action Plan for CombatingIllegal Betting, Games of Chance, and Gambling in the Virtual Environmentaims to address thesource of the crimedetection, rapidintervention, and the cutting off of financial and digital infrastructure, as well as the prevention of criminal proceeds and the protection of ourcitizens are targeted.

In the fight against these crimes, the legal and administrative infrastructure is being strstrengthening, and the activation of audit and sanctionmechanisms, as well as increasing inter-institutional coordination, the responsibilities of public institutions have also been defined.

As the Ministry of Justice, with thework weareconducting,crimes committed through information systemsareof concrete steps are being taken to preventand significant regulations are being introduced regarding mobile lines.

In this way, fraudcrimescan becombated more effectivelyis aimed at combating.

With the regulations in the 11th Judicial Package accepted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly Justice Commission;in crimes committed

using informationsystems,the penaltySuspicious bank and financial accountscan be suspended for up to 48 hours,

For these crimes committed using information systems,the proceeds of the crime can be seized immediately without requiring the reportstipulated in Article 128 of the Criminal Procedure Code,

If it is determined that the seized amountbelongs to the victim, it will be returned directly to the rightful owner.

To prevent delays in investigations,a

requirement is being introduced forbanks and financial institutionsto submit information and documentsrequested by public prosecutors,judges, or courts within10 days.

To prevent accounts used in illegal betting andfraud;

It will not be possible to openaccounts at electronic payment institutions without biometric verification orchip-enabled ID.will not be possible.

In order to ensure strict oversight of GSM lines;

Line subscriptions will only be possible through electronic identity verification,

The number of lines that can be opened in a person's name will be limited by the BTK,

Deceased or legal entlines belonging to individuals whose legal personality has ended will be closed through periodic checks,

For foreign nationals, a special number allocationwill be implemented.

Furthermore; The gambling crimes in the Turkish Penal Code,special provisions regarding illegal betting and games of chance, and sanctions in the Law on MisdemeanorsLegislative efforts have been initiated to re-evaluatesanctions and increasethe penalties.

With the regulationsto be introduced in this context, illegal betting and gambling crimes committed in an organized manner or targetingchildrencrimes, penalties will be further increased.

Against this threat that drags people into a debt spiral and ruins lives in an irreversible manner,with determination andstrong steps, we will continue to stand firmly against every structure that threatens our social peace."

News Source: 12punto