The governing party in Turkey has presented a set of legal modifications to the nation’s legislative body, including one that would empower the administration to restrict access to illicit sports wagering platforms.
This alteration would broaden the existing legislation, which permits the government to obstruct websites offering casino games and other unlawful activities, to encompass sports betting, which is only permitted in Turkey through the state-run lottery.
The proposed legislation asserts that “unlawful gambling and betting websites entice individuals of all ages and financial statuses to participate in criminal organizations, thereby jeopardizing our societal harmony and well-being.” The bill also underscores that sports betting websites are presently “readily available.”
The bill was put forward by Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and backed by 55 AKP representatives.
Although the Justice and Development Party (AKP) did not have a majority in the legislature, they needed the backing of at least 10 representatives from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Great Unity Party (BBP). The AKP entered into a pact with these two political entities to ensure their support.
In addition, the legislation assigned the duty of issuing blocking orders to the head of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), rather than the chief legal officer.
Sign up for the iGaming newsletter.