Treasury's tax revenue from games of chance is staggering

The Treasury's tax revenue from games of chance increased significantly in the first half of 2026. The Games of Chance Tax (ŞOV) collected in the January-June period rose by 45 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching 38.4 billion liras.

According to the report by Havva Gümüşkaya from BirGün, the ŞOV revenue, which was 26.2 billion liras in the first 6 months of 2025, rose to 38.4 billion liras in the same period this year. Thus, 57.2 percent of the budget target projected for the end of the year was collected in the first six months.

REVENUES ROSE AFTER PRIVATIZATION

Following the privatization of the National Lottery (MPİ), activity regarding games of chance increased along with the rise in game variety. Weekly draws were replaced by gaming platforms accessible via the internet.

In 2020, the year MPİ was privatized, a budget target of 1 billion 876 million 194 thousand liras was set for ŞOV. By the end of the same year, 3.4 billion liras in tax revenue was generated.

CHANGES IN TAX RATES REFLECTED IN COLLECTIONS

Following the 2023 elections and the appointment of Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, adjustments were made to tax rates. In this context, the tax rate on mutual betting based on sports competitions was increased from 5 percent to 10 percent, on horse racing from 7 percent to 14 percent, and on other games of chance from 10 percent to 20 percent.

With the effect of this increase, 28.4 billion liras in taxes were collected from games of chance in 2023. Thus, ŞOV revenue increased by 179 percent compared to the previous year.

COLLECTIONS CONTINUED TO RISE DESPITE REDUCTION

At the end of 2023, tax rates were pulled back to their previous levels. However, this change did not lead to a decrease in tax collection. In 2024, ŞOV revenue reached 36.7 billion liras, an increase of 29 percent compared to the previous year.

The games of chance tax collected in 2025 was recorded as 55.7 billion liras. By the end of this year, total tax revenue is expected to reach 67.1 billion liras.

News Source: 12punto