Yeşilay Issues Harsher Online Gambling Addiction Warning

In October, GamblingNews wrote that the prominent Turkish organization Yeşilay reported an important rise in the number of online gambling addiction cases at its counseling centers. 

A lot of those cases involved children, some as young as nine. 

Now, Mehmet Dinç, head of the same anti-addiction nonprofit, has raised the alarm over the escalating impact of the gambling industry in the country. 

Controlling Addiction, “Nearly Impossible” 

The surge in online gambling and betting addictions, particularly post-pandemic, has become a pressing public health concern, according to Dinç.

In an interview with İhlas News Agency (IHA) on Thursday, Dinç stated that addiction is “easier to access” while “controlling it has become nearly impossible”.

Dinç further highlighted the ease with which digital platforms now enable gambling and criticized the deceptive terminology often used to downplay the harm associated with gambling.

“People call it betting, luck games or chance games, but it is none of those things. It’s gambling, and it devastates lives.”, he commented.

“Under the Guise of Betting or Luck Games”

Dinç also spoke about a worrying trend related to the number of individuals seeking help for gambling addiction. 

He shared that the number of applications to Yeşilay’s counseling centers has doubled from 17,000 in 2023 to 34,000 this current year. 

However, Yesilay’s head considered the sharp rise nothing but scratching the surface of a much larger problem.

Blaming the growth on the accessibility of gambling in the digital age, Dinç spoke about online platforms open on a 24-hour basis that have considerably simplified the way individuals engage in gambling, often under misleading labels. 

“The gambling industry is reaching people from all directions,” Dinç warned. “Under the guise of betting or luck games, it continues to manipulate and harm lives,” he added. 

Gambling, a Form of Behavioral Addiction

Dinç also shed light on gambling as a form of behavioral addiction, noting its compulsive nature and the difficulty many face in breaking free. 

“Behavioral addiction is on the rise, and while we can curb it to some extent, people find ways to continue,” he said.

To address the issue, Yeşilay is working to reduce gambling demand by equipping individuals with tools to resist addiction. 

“We aim to strengthen people by providing them with the knowledge and skills to avoid gambling addiction before it starts,” Dinç explained.

Community engagement is another cornerstone of Yeşilay’s approach. 

Through its “Independence Campaign,” the organization is mobilizing local leaders and citizens to take part in fighting addiction. 

“Everyone must share responsibility,” Dinç emphasized. “We need the support of our communities to protect our children and youth from this growing threat.”

Despite the rise in addiction cases, Dinç assured that recovery is achievable. Many individuals who have sought help through Yeşilay’s programs have successfully regained control over their lives.

As gambling addiction continues to spread, Dinç called on those struggling to seek assistance promptly, stressing the importance of early intervention to prevent further harm.

Earlier this month, in an ongoing effort to combat the promotion of illegal gambling, the country detained 17 people, including singers and social media influencers.
Before that, the Turkish Football Federation announced the introduction of fines for clubs promoting illegal betting.