Türkiye Cracks Down Hard on Unlicensed Online Gambling — Here’s What It Means for iGaming Affiliates
Trends
Big news out of Turkey: the government, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is intensifying its clamp-down on illegal online gambling ahead of the 2027 elections — and affiliates involved in the traffic chain should take notice. According to recent reporting, authorities have stepped up efforts to block unlicensed sites, target social-media promos and tighten enforcement across the sector.
What’s happening
- In 2024, Turkish regulators blocked 233,000+ illegal gambling websites, a major jump from 168,000 in 2023.
- At the same time, the Turkish Advertising Board banned 30 social-media accounts for promoting unlicensed gambling operations, emphasizing that digital ad channels are now very much in the spotlight.
- The message coming from Turkish authorities is clear: any affiliate, promoter or operator working with unlicensed sites is increasingly exposed to risks — from account blocks to legal or financial sanctions.
Why affiliates targeting Turkey or Turkish-facing traffic should pay attention
- Risk of penalty or reputational damage is real: Affiliates promoting grey-market or unlicensed operators in Turkey could face blocked traffic, loss of commissions or worse.
- Operator compliance will matter more than ever: In Turkey’s tough regulatory climate, only well-managed, licensed partners are likely to be sustainable.
- Content & traffic strategy needs adjustment: The crackdown on social media means affiliates should re-evaluate how they promote offers, what platforms they use, and ensure promos are compliant—even if local regulation is ambiguous.
- Opportunity for quality traffic and trust: Given how many operators are being shut down, affiliates who partner with reputable, compliant brands and focus on long-term player value may gain competitive advantage.
Recommended Program for Turkey-facing Affiliates
If you’re operating (or planning to operate) in Turkey, you should consider working with fully compliant affiliate programs. One such program is BizBet Partners, which is geared towards Turkish-language traffic and understands the nuances of the region.
In sum
Turkey is turning up the heat on illegal iGaming activity. For affiliates, it’s not just about chasing traffic—it’s about choosing the right partners, ensuring compliance, and being smart about how and where you promote. The affiliates who adjust proactively will be better positioned when the market clears and regulatory enforcement goes deeper.
