MASAK to coordinate, published in the Official Gazette: Action plan against illegal betting, games of chance, and gambling in the virtual environment

An annual "Action Plan for Combating Illegal Betting, Games of Chance, and Gambling in the Virtual Environment" was published at midnight with the signature of President Erdoğan.

The circular signed by President Erdoğan stated that the action plan was prepared under the coordination of MASAK in cooperation with public institutions and non-governmental organizations. Accordingly, MASAK will coordinate the implementation and monitoring activities of the action plan.

The circular stated, "Illegal betting, games of chance, and gambling activities, which disrupt family integrity, weaken social relationships, and target all segments of society, especially the youth, pose a serious threat to public order by increasing the informal economy and paving the way for money laundering, in addition to the aforementioned harms."

BETTING INVESTIGATION ON THE AGENDA

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu had announced that 371 out of 571 referees serving in professional leagues had betting accounts, and 152 of them were actively betting. In a statement made on the TFF website, the names of the 152 referees who were actively betting were announced to the public and they were referred to the PFDK.

The TFF Professional Football Discipline Committee (PFDK) also announced the penalties within the scope of the betting investigation. The statement from the TFF indicated that 149 referees received bans ranging from 8 to 12 months.

While the investigation was ongoing, a Presidential Circular regarding the 'Action Plan for Combating Illegal Betting, Games of Chance, and Gambling in the Virtual Environment (2025-2026)' was published at midnight.

The circular signed by President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated the following:

"Illegal betting, games of chance, and gambling activities, which disrupt family integrity, weaken social relationships, and target all segments of society, especially the youth, pose a serious threat to public order by increasing the informal economy and paving the way for money laundering, in addition to the aforementioned harms. In this respect, effective combat against illegal betting, games of chance, and gambling is of vital importance for ensuring public security, protecting the social structure, and sustaining economic and social welfare.

With the growth of the virtual world, the spread of social media, and the diversification of financial technologies, the nature and scope of illegal betting, games of chance, and gambling activities have changed significantly. Tools such as social media, payment infrastructures, and crypto assets have facilitated access to these activities, giving the existing problem a cross-border dimension. This situation makes it mandatory to continuously improve detection, intervention, and monitoring capacity and to take innovative measures.

In this fight, which is currently being carried out in a multi-faceted manner, it is essential to strengthen the legal and administrative infrastructure, increase technical competence and audit capacity, improve inter-institutional coordination, take measures to solve the problem at its source through international cooperation, and expand protection and awareness activities for our citizens, due to the level reached by the technological and financial infrastructure of the problem and its international dimension.

In this context, the "Action Plan for Combating Illegal Betting, Games of Chance, and Gambling in the Virtual Environment (2025-2026)" has been prepared under the coordination of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) in cooperation with public institutions and non-governmental organizations in order to detect and prevent illegal betting, games of chance, and gambling activities at all stages, including virtual channels, the financial system, advertising and promotion channels, and their international dimensions. The said Action Plan will be shared by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board with the institutions and organizations responsible for the actions and those with whom cooperation will be made in the realization of the actions, and the implementation and monitoring activities of the Action Plan will be coordinated.

Accordingly, I request that all public institutions and organizations meticulously fulfill their duties and responsibilities within the scope of the Action Plan for Combating Illegal Betting, Games of Chance, and Gambling in the Virtual Environment (2025-2026), and that all kinds of support and assistance needed during the implementation and monitoring process of the Action Plan be provided meticulously and as a priority by all public institutions and organizations."

News Source: 12punto