Turkey is ramping up its anti-online gambling efforts, with a new focus on individuals funding gambling activity via emerging technologies.

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan has introduced legislation to grant the nation’s Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) the authority to block access to internationally licensed sports betting sites without first obtaining an order from the chief public prosecutor.

The only legal sports betting option available to Turkey’s gamblers is the local Iddaa-SporToto business, for which a consortium including Scientific Games was hired to provide services one year ago. All other online gambling is strictly forbidden, although the government’s efforts to deter such activity have proven only partially effective.

In January, Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) launched a probe into reports that certain banks and electronic payment processors were facilitating illegal gambling. State-run media quoted MASAK officials saying gambling operators were paying unconnected individuals for access to their bank accounts to funnel money on and off gambling sites.