“Turkey to Crack Down on Online Gambling ”

In an attempt to reduce the growing number of its citizens playing at online gambling sites, Turkey is implementing several measures that will obstruct their accessibility and usage. Several major organizations within Turkey (various state ministries, the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, universities, internet service providers and various non-governmental organizations) are making a joint effort at eliminating the use of the gambling sites by blocking their access, tracing credit card transactions and introducing new taxes on gambling.

Because online gambling has recently become so popular in Turkey, officials there feel an urgent need to combat such sites. In fact, an attempt is currently underway to fight illegal gambling sites by imposing legal sanctions. For example, a bill designed to reorganize the structure of the Turkish National Lottery Administration (MPI), has been amended so that the MPI’s new structure will make it responsible for overseeing virtual betting games and lottery draws. Anyone caught breaking the new laws established by the MPI will face fines and possible incarceration. The MPI will also be responsible for blocking access to illegal online gambling and betting sites. Additionally, regular Internet sites will not be allowed to advertise online gambling sites.

Furthermore, Turkish officials are considering a method for catching Internet gamblers that would involve tracking credit card transactions. Turkish citizens spend about two million dollars at Internet gambling sites so tracking through credit card transactions wouldn’t be difficult. Those players caught could be then subjected to criminal sanctions. One hitch to this approach, however, according to the banks, is that it may run counter to the laws of the country.