Mehmet Çakıcı: “There Are at Least 20–25 Thousand Gambling Addicts in the Country”

Speaking on the Sabah Postası program hosted by Canan Onurer on Kıbrıs Postası TV, Prof. Dr. Çakıcı, Director of Pembe Köşk Psychiatric Hospital, evaluated the societal impact of gambling addiction and the recent amendments to the Consolidated Games of Chance (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in the Republic Assembly amid controversy.

“Casinos Are Full of Turkish Cypriots”

Describing gambling addiction as one of the most serious psychiatric "cancers" in Cyprus, Çakıcı criticized the lack of a national policy to combat the problem. Despite the legal prohibition on citizens entering casinos, he claimed that many Turkish Cypriots still do, with locals providing a significant portion of casino revenue.

“If One Life Is Lost, Politics Is to Blame”

Stressing the need for a state policy to address gambling addiction, Çakıcı warned against the government’s insistence on increasing gambling revenue. “The goal should not be to generate more profit. If one person dies because of gambling addiction, politics is to blame,” he said.

Alarming Trends from Long-Term Studies

Referring to a 2007 study on pathological gambling, Çakıcı shared that 2.2% of respondents out of 1,000 surveyed were identified as pathological gamblers—among the highest rates globally. Follow-up studies showed rising rates: 3.4% in 2012, 3.8% in 2014, and 4.6% in 2018.

“In Europe, the rate is around 1%. In the U.S. and New Zealand, it’s 1.5%. Even in countries where gambling is most prevalent, the rate doesn't exceed 2%. We’re more than double that,” he emphasized.

“There Is No National Policy or Treatment Centre”

Çakıcı criticized the lack of a dedicated treatment centre and the absence of a coherent state policy on gambling addiction. He argued that calling gambling “games of chance” softens the perception of its danger. “We have ten diagnostic criteria. If someone meets just two, they can be diagnosed with pathological gambling,” he explained.

Five Key Reasons for the High Addiction Rate

According to Çakıcı, the high rate of gambling addiction stems from:

1. Lack of education and prevention programmes

2. Vague and poorly enforced restrictions

3. Free meals and drinks at casinos

4. Widespread casino presence on the island

5. Lack of structured support and adaptation systems

“Some Consider Suicide Due to Gambling Debt”

Çakıcı warned that unless current policies are changed, the addiction rate will continue to rise. “People are contemplating suicide because of gambling-related debts. We see these cases. Pathological gambling has very severe consequences,” he said.

“Cyprus Among Top Four Regions for Gambling Addiction”

Highlighting the gravity of the issue, Çakıcı stated that Cyprus is among the four regions in the world with the highest rates of pathological gambling. He estimated that around 20,000 to 25,000 people are addicted, and as many as 80,000 are affected by gambling in some way. “Problem gambling affects roughly 10% of the population,” he concluded.