Turkey Proposes Total Ban on Gambling Ads and Tighter Payment Rules

Turkey Proposes Total Ban on Gambling Ads and Tighter Payment Rules

iGaming in Turkey is facing significant changes as the country prepares amendments to its Penal Code and advertising laws. These amendments are set to impose a full ban on betting and gambling advertisements. This initiative is part of the 11th judicial package spearheaded by President Erdogan, marking a wide-reaching criminal and social reform effort. Reasons for these measures include increased youth and underage involvement facilitated by social media and influencers, severe social consequences from gambling, and the large-scale movement of funds to offshore jurisdictions.

Details of the Proposed Legislation

The draft law is slated for parliamentary submission, with Turkish media predicting consideration in 2026, after which the regulations would become part of larger criminal justice reforms. The proposal highlights several provisions:

• Total Advertising Ban: The ban covers TV, radio, the internet, social networks, digital platforms, branded content, and sports sponsorship. It also affects advertising links and affiliate marketing.
• Protection of Minors: Enhanced age verification and access restrictions for ages 15–18 are proposed, with involvement of minors considered an aggravating factor.
• Financial and Digital Controls: Mandatory biometric or chip-ID verification for e-wallets, stricter bank controls, and compulsory data submission to prosecutors within 10 days are included. GSM lines will only activate after complete digital identification.
• Penalties and Liability: While final sanctions are yet to be published, proposed measures include imprisonment of 1–3 years and hefty fines for organisers. Operators and media platforms could face administrative and criminal liability, with potential confiscation of illegal proceeds and temporary freezing of financial accounts.

Impact on the Payment Systems

Regulatory pressure is already affecting operator payment infrastructures in Turkey. Minimum deposit amounts at cash desks are high, typically averaging around TLY 3000 (~$70). Not all payment methods are consistent, leading to instability. Despite stated limits, actual deposit minima are often higher. Operators are implementing OTP registration, uncommon for grey-market iGaming, to filter traffic and manage payment channel strain.

Industry Implications

If these trends continue, Turkish iGaming may become less viable, restricting operations to established brands with distinct audiences. Rising minimum deposits, disrupted payment methods, and strict identification shake the market, leaving brands like Casibom, Jojobet, Meritking, and Holiganbet positioned to endure.

Source: @igamingceo Telegram