Gambling addiction surpasses drug addiction in Türkiye

Gambling addiction has surpassed drug addiction as the primary issue reported to Turkish Green Crescent (Yesilay), according to the organization’s president, Associate Professor Mehmet Dinc.

In a presentation to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye’s Children’s Rights Commission, Dinc highlighted the growing prevalence of online gambling, especially among youth.

“For years, we received the most applications related to drug addiction. However, this year, gambling addiction has overtaken it,” Dinc stated. Reports of gambling addiction rose from 24% in 2020 to 36% in 2024.

Youth affected by online gambling and technology addiction

Dinc noted that gambling addiction often begins at the age of 15, with technology-related addictions, including internet dependence, starting as early as 12. He also emphasized a troubling increase in technology addiction reports, from 5% previously to 6.19% in 2024.

Until this year, we received the most applications for drug addiction. This year, we received more applications for gambling addiction than drug addiction. While the application for gambling addiction was 24% between 2020-2024, it increased to 36% this year. Again, while the rate of applications related to technology addiction was 5%, it increased to 6.19% this year.

Gambling addicts can come to us from the age of 15 and internet addicts from the age of 12.

Turkish Green Crescent President Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Dinc

Major cities lead in gambling addiction reports

The highest number of gambling addiction cases were reported in:

• Istanbul
• Ankara
• Izmir
• Bursa
• Antalya

“Unfortunately, gambling advertisements are widely visible in places where children and young people can see them,” Dinc said. He warned of a strong connection between gambling addiction and suicide risks, with many individuals seeking help from Green Crescent as a last resort.

There is a very clear link between gambling and suicide. Most of those who seek our help come to us before reaching the point of suicidal thoughts, while those who don’t often face a higher risk of suicide.

Turkish Green Crescent President Associate Professor Mehmet Dinc

Cyberbullying and its multidimensional impact

In addition to gambling addiction, Dinc addressed the issue of cyberbullying, which often overlaps with other digital risks, such as online harassment, pornography, and gambling elements in video games.

“Cyberbullying leads to severe consequences, including depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, criminal behavior, suicidal tendencies, family conflicts, increased school absenteeism, poor academic performance, and disrupted sleep patterns,” Dinc explained.

Cyberbullying is more of a parallel issue with cyber harassment, pornography, gambling and sexual elements in the content of digital games, all of which seriously harm our children and young people.

Especially in cyberbullying, depression, anxiety disorder, involvement in other substances, committing crimes, suicidal tendencies, deterioration in family relationships, increase in school absenteeism, decline in achievement, disruption in sleep patterns can be damaged in multidimensional processes of life.

Therefore, this issue of cyberbullying is a very serious threat to our children and young people, as is the issue of internet-related addictions such as gaming, gambling, pornography and harassment on social media.

Turkish Green Crescent President Associate Professor Mehmet Dinc