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Erdogan: "The Country Has Sunk into Gambling"

Published January 15, 2026, 19:12
Erdogan: "The Country Has Sunk into Gambling"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the situation with gambling in Turkey in dramatic terms, characterizing it as a social scourge. Speaking at an event for the launch of the state channel for youth, TRT Genç, Erdogan emphasized the increase in digital and “virtual” gambling, arguing that “almost every phone has turned into a casino”. Erdogan linked gambling to family tragedies, divorces and social disintegration, arguing that it is a major cause of conflict and family breakdown. He even equated the damage caused by gambling addiction to that of terrorism, saying it is “equally or even more destructive” to the national fabric. Despite acknowledging the problem, Erdogan criticized the opposition, accusing it of trying to legalize gambling or present it as a matter of “freedom”. He then assured that the government is determined to fight all forms of addiction, calling for the mobilization of the state, society and the media. Erdogan presented gambling not simply as a social problem, but as an existential threat to youth and the family, highlighting the seriousness of the phenomenon.