15.04.2026 19:21
DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan said at the parliamentary group meeting, "This is my call to Mr. Tayyip; Let's give up on this. Revoke the licenses of online gambling and online betting. Pull the plug at 00:00 tonight, end this business."
DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan made a call to the government regarding virtual betting and gambling. Addressing the AK Party administration, Babacan used striking expressions, saying, "Is there no one left among you to speak the truth?"
"CELL PHONES HAVE TURNED INTO CASINOS"
In his speech at the New Path Parliamentary Group Meeting, Babacan criticized the proliferation of virtual betting and gambling sites in Turkey. Arguing that this area was opened with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Babacan claimed that cell phones have virtually "turned into casinos."
REMINDER OF HAZRAT OMAR
Making a direct appeal to the AK Party administration, Babacan said, "Not a single person can come out and say this. 'Oh leader, this is wrong. The youth are devastated, families are devastated. Let's give up on this.' Is there no servant of God left who can say this? Are you that afraid? Or is the benefit so great that you remain silent? You know, Hazrat Omar used to give thanks. He would say, 'Thank God, I have friends who will correct me with their swords if I bend.' When the AK Party was first founded, there were many people with that self-confidence, that confidence to correct with their swords. They would fearlessly defend whatever was right. I am saddened. I wonder, is there no one left from them?"
"A GENERATION IS BEING LOST TO GAMBLING"
Highlighting the social impacts of virtual gambling, Babacan emphasized that young people are at great risk.
"It's a pity for the youth, a pity for mothers and fathers, a pity for this society. A generation is currently being lost to gambling and betting. There are hundreds of gambling machines inside every cell phone right now. And note this, this started in this country with the permission, with the license, given by the country's president. Let no one deceive anyone."
Reiterating his call to President Erdoğan, Babacan demanded the removal of virtual betting and gambling licenses:
"This is my call once again to Mr. Tayyip from here. Come on, give up on this. Remove the licenses for virtual gambling and virtual betting. This is possible right now. It's possible tonight. Since decrees are issued at night, pull the plug at 00:00 tonight, finish this business."