HÜDA PAR Mersin MP Faruk Dinç has submitted a series of parliamentary questions calling on six cabinet ministers to address the growing problem of gambling addiction, warning that it is pushing young people and families toward social and economic ruin.

Dinç directed separate questions to the ministers of justice, family and social services, youth and sports, agriculture and forestry, treasury and finance, and national education, urging the government to adopt stronger preventive policies against what he described as a deepening social crisis.

The lawmaker pointed to a recent betting scandal in Turkish football as evidence of the scale of the problem. He recalled statements by the president of the Turkish Football Federation on Oct. 27, 2025, revealing that 371 referees had betting accounts and that 152 of them were actively placing bets, bringing gambling and betting back into the national spotlight.

Dinç also cited the “Turkey Gambling Report” published by Yeşilay in September 2025, noting that the report clearly demonstrated the severe harm gambling causes to individuals, families, and society at large.

Highlighting the rapid spread of online gambling, Dinç referred to the Presidential Circular titled “Action Plan to Combat Illegal Betting, Games of Chance, and Gambling in the Digital Environment (2025–2026).” He warned that digital platforms have made gambling accessible to all age groups and turned it into a cross-border threat.

In a parliamentary question addressed to Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı, Dinç drew attention to the gambling-like nature of horse racing and pool betting, asking whether there were plans to limit the scope of activities of the Turkish Jockey Club.

In another question submitted to National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin, Dinç questioned whether existing education, prevention, and awareness programs are sufficient to protect children and young people from the destructive effects of gambling.

Raising concerns about state-linked gambling activities, Dinç said the digitalization of the National Lottery and licensed games of chance has encouraged gambling behavior. In a question addressed to Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, he asked whether stricter oversight and new limitations were being considered.

Dinç also questioned Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak about the impact of betting games such as Spor Toto and İddaa on young people, asking whether the government plans to narrow or restructure these activities.

Addressing the broader social consequences, Dinç emphasized in a question to Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş that gambling contributes to domestic violence, divorce, and economic collapse, and called for preventive policies to protect the family institution.

In a final question to Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, Dinç asked whether legal betting and games of chance should be reclassified as gambling under the law and whether legislative changes were being considered.

Through his parliamentary initiatives, Dinç stressed that efforts to combat gambling should not be limited to illegal activities alone, calling for a comprehensive approach that also examines the social impact of gambling conducted under the label of legality. (ILKHA)