İzmir Street Vendors Report Historic Decline in Lottery Ticket Sales Amid Economic Crisis and Online Gambling Rise
Street vendors in İzmir are grappling with an unprecedented decline in demand for lottery tickets ahead of the New Year draw, attributing the downturn to the dual pressures of soaring online gambling popularity and the ongoing economic crisis in the country. Traditionally, Turkey’s state lottery, which features its flagship annual draw on December 31, attracts significant interest from the public, placing vendors in major cities in a position to thrive during this peak sales period. However, this year’s buzz seems to have fizzled out, with rumors circulating that many vendors will be left holding unsold tickets.
Vendors stationed in Konak Square report that this year’s interest is at an all-time low, with some noting that individuals who once eagerly purchased multiple tickets are now merely walking past stalls or opting for the least expensive options. The pricing structure hasn’t changed, with a quarter ticket valued at 200 lira, a half ticket at 400 lira, and a full ticket priced at 800 lira. This pricing is proving burdensome for many, especially retirees and older adults, who struggle amidst rising living costs.
Paşa Çakmak, head of the İzmir Lottery and Games Vendors Association, highlighted a critical shift in consumer behavior, noting the overwhelming influence of online gambling platforms in the market. According to him, Turkey has transformed into a gambling hub since the privatization of the state lottery, which coincided with a surge in digital gaming options. He observed that the number of licensed sellers in Konak Square has dwindled from approximately 30 to fewer than 10, indicating a significant contraction in vendor presence, with challenges facing those who remain.
The prevalence of digital gambling has fundamentally altered how families manage their finances, often leading older generations to use their retirement funds to settle gambling debts instead of making traditional lottery purchases. Once popular excursions to casinos in northern Cyprus have also lessened as online games provide readily accessible alternatives.
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Compounding the issue, street vendors face stiff competition from supermarkets, kiosks, and online facilities where lottery tickets are readily available. Many customers now opt to buy tickets in pairs or trios, citing the high cost of a single ticket as a deterrent.
One long-time vendor, who has spent nearly 30 years in the business, lamented that never before had she experienced such a drastic drop in ticket sales. She expressed her fears regarding unsold inventory, even with a tempting jackpot of 800 million lira on the line.
As December 31 approaches, vendors are not optimistic about a last-minute surge in sales. The prospect of remaining with unsold tickets looms large, intensifying concerns about potential losses and threatening the livelihood of many sellers who may consider exiting the business altogether if current trends persist.
