for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
The development of online gambling in Türkiye occurred almost three decades after casinos were outlawed by the country, moving gambling from casinos to mobile phones, which provide 24/7 access. According to experts, the fact that gambling is now done via smartphones has only complicated the process and led to more cases of addiction.
Digital Shift Fuels Hidden Crisis
The move to online platforms has changed how gambling plays out in Türkiye. Betting and virtual sites now operate at any time, pulling in users who can play from home, work, or anywhere with a phone.
According to Mehmet Dinç, the director of Green Crescent anti-addiction association in Türkiye, gambling did not go away; rather, it took a different form, especially during the period of the pandemic when people were spending most of their time staring at screens. This became an opportunity for the gambling industry to target a younger generation.
During this period, advertising reached its peak. Dinç noted that globally and locally, digital gambling grew fast during those years, with aggressive tactics drawing in new players.
Addiction Cases Climb
The figures released from 105 Yeşilay Counseling Centers in Türkiye indicate that in 2025, gambling addiction will top all other addictions. Addiction cases associated with gambling have become more common than substance abuse.
A gambler explained how the change from betting establishments to apps only worsened his condition. They described playing constantly, no matter the setting, which turned a casual activity into a deep-rooted issue that cost them years with family.
The lack of a physical location helps hide the problem. Many still view gambling as harmless fun rather than a health concern, which delays recognition and treatment.
Youth Culture At Risk
Dinç said the industry now markets betting as a normal part of young people’s lives, making it feel exciting and routine. Easy access through phones, flashy ads, and friends’ influence speed up the pull.
A young player recalled starting with buddies, where it seemed lighthearted at first. But constant availability online turned it compulsive, shifting from social play to something harder to shake. Behavioral addictions like this often get downplayed compared to drug use. Yet specialists say they hit fast and linger, especially when wrapped in a sense of normalcy.
Family And Brain Impact
Clinical psychologist Tülin Güler from a Yeşilay center said the fallout spreads to those around the gambler. Trust breaks down, money troubles mount, talks dry up, and isolation sets in, hitting personal ties and wider circles. Gambling triggers the brain’s reward areas much like substances do, leading to urges, lost control, and a need for bigger bets. A common trap is chasing losses, where players double down to recover, locking them in deeper.
Güler explained how financial hits during losing streaks feed the cycle. The belief in turning things around keeps the behavior going despite the damage.
Spotting And Treating Signs
Early action makes a big difference, experts say. Signs include pulling away from family, skipping duties, money woes, and sleep issues. Treatment blends therapy, psychiatric care, and group or family sessions, often running about 1 year. Yeşilay pushes prevention too, reaching 7 million students this year through school programs, university peer training, and youth camps. All 105 centers provide free, private help. These efforts aim to build awareness and healthier habits before problems take root.
Regulation Lags Behind
Dinç said laws struggle to match the industry’s quick changes. He welcomed a recent national plan from 13 ministries and Yeşilay, led by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, which could bring real steps forward if carried out well.
Banks already face limits on gambling features. Still, Dinç calls for a full ad ban and pushes back on “responsible gaming” talk, which he sees as shifting blame to players. He argued the industry bears the main load, not individuals caught in its web.
Path Forward Needed
This rise ties to phones, bold marketing, and changing views on betting. It now touches young people, homes, and communities in ways that demand more than personal fixes.
Stronger prevention, public education, and rules tailored to digital growth sit at the heart of what experts push for. Türkiye faces a landscape where gambling hides in plain sight, calling for action that keeps pace with its spread.
Source: Daily Sabah
