Gambling News

"Turkey to Crack Down on Online Gambling"

Turkey to introduce taxes on Internet gambling sites in an effort to erase them.

Turkey is implementing several measures that will obstruct access and use of internet gambling sites. In an attempt to reduce the growing number of its citizens playing at online gambling sites, several major organizations within Turkey, including various 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 access, tracing credit card transactions and introducing new taxes on gambling.

Online gambling has recently become so popular in Turkey, that officials feel an urgent need to combat such sites. In fact, an attempt is currently underway to fight illegal gambling sites by imposing legal sanctions. 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 jail terms. The MPI will also be responsible for blocking access to illegal online gambling and betting sites. Internet sites will be prohibited from advertising online gambling sites.

Turkish officials are also considering methods for catching Internet gamblers by tracking credit card transactions. Turkish citizens spend about two million dollars at Internet gambling sites at present, so tracking through credit card transactions should not be too difficult. Players who are caught could be then subjected to criminal proceedings. However, there is one setback this approach: according to the banks, it may not conform to the laws of the country.

Another measure that will definitely reduce the glamour and appeal of the online sites, is the introduction of taxes on Internet gambling sites. The idea behind this measure is to have banks add a “lottery tax” to any online gambling transactions.

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