The TRNC casino sector supported Erdoğan’s fight against illegal gambling

The Association of Casino Operators has supported Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's initiatives to combat illegal betting and online gambling, emphasizing that the legal casino sector is the most active in countering illegal betting.

This was stated by the association's deputy chairman, Ayhan Sarycicek, during a meeting with Turkish journalists visiting the TRNC on a working visit.

According to him, casinos operating within the law are firmly opposed to any illegal gambling practices and regularly report identified illegal betting websites to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTHK) for blocking.

"We are the ones fighting illegal betting the hardest. Online betting undermines physical tourism. Without casinos, most hotels in Cyprus simply cannot operate," said Sarycicek.

The association reminded that 33 licensed casinos officially operate in the TRNC, playing a key role in the country's economy:

• Total hotel beds — 27,764,
• Of which 18,182 are in hotels with casinos,
• The sector directly provides about 14,000 jobs.

According to Sarycicek, casinos today are the "locomotive of the economy," without which tourism, air transport, and the hotel business would suffer.

The association's representative also noted that after the 2009 Gambling Law came into force, the sector became more transparent and strictly regulated.

• Total casino turnover is estimated at $1.2 billion,
• About $240 million annually go directly into the state budget,
• The combined indirect economic effect is estimated at up to $10 billion.

"Casinos are effectively under state control — all taxes, fees, and licenses are paid regularly," emphasized Sarycicek.

The Association of Casino Operators considers online gambling the main threat to the industry and the economy as a whole. According to sector representatives, virtual betting undermines tourism, causes social harm, and makes gambling accessible to everyone, including vulnerable groups.

In this regard, the casino sector intends to continue actively participating in the fight against illegal online platforms.