Dozens of social media accounts that have allegedly promoted illegal betting and gambling in Turkey were recently blocked by the local authorities.
Access to 30 social media accounts blocked
Earlier this week, local media outlets confirmed that Turkey's Advertising Board took decisive action against accounts it said promoted illegal gambling activities.
As a result, access to 30 social media accounts was restricted, the Turkish Trade Ministry has announced.
Per the authorities' confirmation, access to a number of YouTube and other social media accounts had to be restricted as the content that appeared via those channels promoted gambling and encouraged users to engage in live betting activities.
Such promotions or advertisements, the Advertising Board said, were in violation of the established regulations in the country.
Specifically, the Board confirmed that illegal gambling ads or the promotion of betting without a license is in violation of Turkey's Regulation on Commercial Advertising and Unfair Commercial Practices Act.
In addition, the content that appeared on those 30 social media accounts was in violation of the Consumer Protection Law in the country.
Fight against illegal gambling in Turkey continues
The latest anti-illegal gambling sweep isn't unexpected, considering Turkey's strict gambling regulations.
Nearly three decades ago, in 1998, the country banned all land-based casinos.
Then, in 2006, at a time when online casino gambling was just emerging, Turkey enforced another ban, effectively prohibiting commercial online casinos.
While online gambling isn't completely prohibited, it is restricted to state-run betting along with a handful of online platforms.
While Turkey punishes illegal gambling, the popularity of iGaming and especially betting related to popular sports such as soccer, results in the constant reappearance of illegal platforms.
Still, the country maintains its position against illegal gambling and, in recent years, has enhanced its control over social media platforms that promote such activities.
In that line of thought, access to social media accounts that may promote illegal betting or gambling is often blocked, while the platforms are pressured to remove such content to comply with the country's regulations.
If such requests are not completed, social media platforms risk fines or access restrictions.
