Illegal Gambling in Turkey: The Dangers of Renting Bank Accounts and Tax Losses

In Turkey, gambling and betting games are regulated by Law No. 7258, which prohibits betting outside of state-controlled systems. However, illegal betting sites have found ways to exploit this legal gap, targeting Turkish citizens in various ways and causing serious legal consequences. One of the most concerning issues is the renting of bank accounts, which leads individuals to unknowingly become involved in crimes such as money laundering and financing terrorism. Additionally, due to illegal gambling being conducted abroad, the Turkish economy suffers from significant tax losses.

The Legal Implications of Illegal Betting and Bank Account Renting

Illegal betting sites rely on financial transactions that must remain hidden, which is why they seek to rent individuals’ bank accounts. These account holders are lured with promises of high earnings and often overlook the legal ramifications. However, these accounts are frequently used by illegal betting sites for money laundering and financing terrorism, making account holders criminally liable.

According to Article 282 of the Turkish Penal Code, money laundering carries a penalty of 2 to 5 years in prison for those who facilitate the laundering of criminal proceeds. In addition, the Law No. 6415 on the Prevention of Financing of Terrorism imposes severe penalties for individuals who provide financial support to terrorist organizations.

Those who rent out their accounts often become victims of legal proceedings when investigations begin. Since all payment traffic is recorded, the account holders are the ones who face legal consequences, while the real criminals remain anonymous. As a result, individuals who rent their bank accounts not only face financial losses but also serious legal charges such as terrorism financing and money laundering.

Tax Loss and the Economic Impact of Illegal Betting

The prohibition of betting in Turkey has led individuals to seek foreign-based illegal betting sites. These platforms, operating outside Turkey's jurisdiction, do not pay any taxes on the wagers placed by Turkish citizens. As a result, the Turkish government experiences significant tax losses, with millions of liras in uncollected revenue.

One possible solution to address this issue is to legalize and regulate illegal betting platforms, subjecting them to taxation. If these sites were registered under Turkish ID numbers, limits on betting amounts could be introduced. This would not only allow the state to collect taxes from betting revenues but also help regulate individual betting behaviors more effectively. By implementing such a system, the demand for illegal betting sites could decrease, and the resulting tax revenue could be allocated to public services for societal benefit.

Legal Framework: Gambling and Betting Restrictions

In Turkey, betting games are strictly controlled under Law No. 7258 on the Regulation of Football and Other Sports Competitions Based Betting and Games of Chance. This law explicitly prohibits unauthorized gambling and betting activities. Individuals who violate this law are subject to severe penalties.

Under Article 5 of the law, those who operate or participate in unauthorized betting and games of chance face 3 to 5 years in prison, along with heavy fines. Additionally, those who rent their bank accounts for illegal betting purposes are also liable to prosecution under this law.

Conclusion: The Dangers of Gambling Addiction

Although legalizing and taxing illegal betting sites may seem like a viable solution, the dangers of gambling addiction must not be overlooked. Gambling addiction is a serious issue that can have devastating effects on individuals’ economic and psychological well-being. People who gamble uncontrollably often fall into a vicious cycle of trying to recover their financial losses by betting more, which only leads them deeper into trouble.

For this reason, it is crucial to avoid gambling and betting games altogether, as they can become highly addictive. Gambling not only causes financial losses but can also strain relationships, affect work life, and harm mental health.

In conclusion, individuals must remain vigilant and avoid becoming involved with illegal betting sites or renting their bank accounts. By staying away from such activities, one can protect themselves from the serious legal, economic, and psychological risks associated with illegal gambling.