Number of blocked illegal gambling sites increases 6-fold

Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek made an assessment regarding efforts to combat illegal games of chance and virtual gambling.

Reminding that in Turkey, it is illegal to play or host gambling, as well as to host any game of chance in a virtual environment without a license from the authorized public authority, Şimşek emphasized that acts falling under this scope constitute a crime. Şimşek stated that authorized public institutions and organizations, law enforcement agencies, and judicial authorities are taking all necessary administrative, legal, and judicial measures regarding the matter and are fighting against crime and criminals.

However, noting that illegal games of chance, betting, and virtual gambling are being hosted on websites and various platforms organized and operated by various individuals or organizations, Şimşek explained that almost all of these sites broadcast from abroad and that the individuals or organizations carrying out these activities transfer billions of Turkish liras in illegally obtained funds from Turkey to abroad.

"THESE EARNINGS ARE NOT TAXED"

Stating that illegal games of chance, betting, and virtual gambling sites, many of which are estimated to be managed by organized crime groups, operate entirely off the books, Şimşek continued his remarks as follows:

"For this reason, the earnings obtained from proceeds of crime are not taxed in any way; therefore, real or legal persons operating in this field do not pay income or corporate tax on the income they generate. Likewise, unlike licensed gaming platforms, these platforms do not pay value-added tax, games of chance tax, or public share on the game sales revenue they collect from participants. This situation not only causes a high loss of revenue for our country and public finance but also causes unfair competition for firms that operate with a license and fulfill all their tax obligations. Furthermore, organized crime groups gain unfair profit through this method, and the income obtained is used for the activities of these groups or for the commission and financing of other crimes (such as drugs, human trafficking, and terrorism), or the proceeds of crime are laundered through various means and channeled into different areas. Our citizens who play games through illegal betting and virtual gambling sites unknowingly provide funding for the activities of organized crime groups."

On the other hand, pointing out that citizens who become members of these sites and play games often cannot fully collect the winnings they earn and cannot find a contact person to resolve the problems they encounter, Şimşek said, "Efforts are being continued decisively to combat illegal games of chance, betting, and virtual gambling sites in order to fight crime and criminals, prevent unfair gains by individuals or organized crime groups, prevent tax losses for the state, and prevent citizens from becoming victims by unknowingly becoming members of these sites."

Şimşek stated that the National Lottery Administration (MPİ), which is affiliated with his Ministry, continuously monitors websites hosting illegal games of chance, betting, and virtual gambling and carries out the necessary legal process regarding broadcasts for which there is sufficient suspicion of constituting a crime.

"GAMBLING SITES BROADCAST FROM 99 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES"

Pointing out that the sites identified by the Administration are reported to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) and that access is blocked or the content is removed, Şimşek used the following expressions:

"In this context, 168,030 websites identified by the MPİ as hosting illegal games of chance, betting, and virtual gambling in a virtual environment without obtaining a license in our country last year were reported to the BTK, and access to 159,515 of them was blocked. The number of sites reported to the BTK was 24,815 in 2022, and the number of sites with blocked access was 24,716. Since the day we took office, the number of sites with blocked access has increased 6-fold compared to the previous year, thanks to the determined efforts carried out to prevent illegal virtual gambling and betting, which are among the most important sources of financing for terrorist organizations. Our Ministry will continue to fight decisively against illegal betting and virtual gambling sites in order to prevent unlicensed activities and tax losses."

Şimşek reported that in the 2019-2023 period, the number of sites reported to the BTK reached 233,800, and access to 224,566 of them was blocked.

Pointing out that all illegal games of chance and virtual gambling sites broadcast from 99 different countries and are foreign-sourced, Şimşek said that 73,175 of the 168,030 sites in question originated from the USA, 41,607 from Armenia, and 19,757 from the Netherlands. Şimşek added that they also broadcast from countries such as the Philippines, Seychelles, Taiwan, Belize, and Singapore.

News Source: AA