15.01.2026 16:11
In a speech at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center, President Erdoğan made striking remarks. Stating that "digital games serve as a trap that exposes our youth to virtual betting and gambling addiction," Erdoğan said, "We see that the biggest problems in family tragedies are alcohol, gambling, and drugs. Addiction to drugs, alcohol, virtual betting, gambling, and cigarettes has reached levels that are as harmful as, or even more harmful than, terrorism."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements at the "TRT Youth Channel Opening Event" at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center.
"REACHED MORE DANGEROUS DIMENSIONS THAN TERRORISM"
Erdoğan stated, "Addiction to drugs, alcohol, online betting, gambling, and cigarettes has reached dimensions that are as harmful as terrorism, if not more harmful, for our national structure." He added, "Families are being torn apart, generations are being lost, and resources that should go to employment, production, education, and health are unfortunately feeding the bloody gears of humanity's enemies. The bitter truth that those who try to normalize gambling on group podiums and those who say 'we will make alcohol cheaper' when they come to power persistently ignore is this. The frightening picture that those who portray alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs as symbols of freedom are turning a blind eye to is also this."
"WE MUST UTILIZE EVERY OPPORTUNITY"
Continuing his remarks, Erdoğan emphasized their determination to fight against all kinds of addiction, stating, "The situation that those who enter a race to exonerate drug traffickers with various excuses do not want to confront is this; but we see it, we hear it, we are aware of the danger. As a government that operates with the principle 'Let the person live so that the state lives,' we are extremely determined to combat all kinds of addiction. Our security forces and judiciary are fulfilling their duties properly; however, addiction, regardless of its type, is such a scourge that security measures alone are not sufficient. For this reason, we must act together with a spirit of mobilization as families, society, political parties, associations, foundations, universities, and especially the media, and utilize every opportunity at our disposal," he said.
Highlights from Erdoğan's speech;
"Dear representatives of our media academy and art world, my beloved young brothers and sisters, I greet you with my heartfelt feelings and respect. I am delighted to be with you on the occasion of the opening of our TRT Youth television channel. Welcome to our Presidential Complex, you have brought joy here.
I sincerely congratulate and commend the TRT management and everyone involved in organizing this valuable program.
I wholeheartedly wish that our TRT Youth Television Channel will be beneficial for our youth and our nation.
TRT, which is both the memory and the future of Turkey, has witnessed many historical events in our country and around the world. Our fathers listened to the news every evening. We also followed Turkey and the world through TRT for many years. TRT has become an indispensable part of our lives in every field. "Our generation and the generation after us grew up with TRT." If we say this, we would not be exaggerating.
Today, TRT also undertakes an important mission. TRT stands as a bulwark against cultural degradation with its broadcasts and productions that prioritize the good, the true, and the just.
I would like to proudly express that it is a remarkable achievement for some productions bearing the TRT signature to return with awards from around the world.
Distorted relationships are encouraged with characters carefully placed everywhere from series to cinema, and perversions are promoted. For us, TRT's success is to produce content that all family members can watch without any concern. I believe that with TRT Youth, the number of broadcasts in this line will increase even more.
"EVERY PHONE HAS BECOME A CASINO"
We need the contribution of platforms like TRT Youth in the fight against addiction, which is the plague of our age. There is a serious increase in addiction, especially to online betting, gambling, and drugs. Our youth are falling more into these scourges due to the influence of digital platforms and social media. Unfortunately, every phone has become a casino. The use of tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs is also being encouraged by these platforms.
We see that the biggest culprit in the family tragedies experienced in our country recently is alcohol, betting, gambling, and drugs. These scourges are at the forefront of divorces and family disputes.
When we evaluate the issue in all its aspects; addiction to drugs, alcohol, betting, gambling, and cigarettes has reached dimensions that are as harmful as terrorism, if not more harmful. The reality that those who try to normalize gambling on group podiums and those who say they will make alcohol cheaper when they come to power do not see is this. This is the situation that those who enter a race to exonerate drug traffickers do not want to confront.
WATER CRISIS IN ANKARA
As you know, millions of our citizens living in the capital of Turkey have been condemned to thirst for weeks. People stood in line for water. Families kept vigil at the tap to meet their most basic needs like laundry, dishes, and bathing.
We have all witnessed scenes unworthy of Turkey in 2026. There was news that could not be ignored from the media, which has the duty to act as a watchdog on behalf of the public. Our press organizations also reported this issue. As a result, even if they could not fully resolve the issue, they had to make a statement.
Yesterday, one of them came out and instead of apologizing to the people he left thirsty in the middle of winter, he blames TRT, he blames AA, he blames private television channels. The same person’s party leader targets us with accusations and slanders."