While Turkey's stoic stance against internet gambling is well known around
the world, the country's policy against any type of gambling activity was shown
last week following the arrest of several British tourists.
The incident happened in Altinkum, considered a popular tourist destination
for Western travellers, and particularly sought after by British tourists.
Fifteen players took part in a charity bingo game that was being held at a
local bar, with the express purpose of donating the proceeds of the game to
assist a recovering cancer patient. The patient, a British woman who hails from
Burnley, had travelled to Turkey to undergo treatment for a malignant
growth, and was told that she would require follow up chemotherapy and
radiotherapy.
In order to help out with the staggering expenses of this type of treatment,
it was decided to hold a bingo game and donate all proceeds to the cause -
except that Turkish authorities had other ideas.
After receiving a 'tip off' from locals that a bingo game was taking place,
police raided the bar and arrested 15 British tourists, charging them with
illegal gambling.
After spending a few hours in detention, nine out of the original fifteen
were released, although the remaining six 'main culprits' were ordered to pay
fines of over £50 each, before they were released back to their hotels.
The tourists were not the only ones to be affected by Turkey's anti gambling
policy. The bar owner was forced to keep his establishment closed for a number
of days, causing him loss in revenues.
