Sosyal Bilimler ve Sağlık Bülteni

Özgün Makale

No. 15 (2025)

Tracking Online Betting Interest in Türkiye with Google Trends: A 2022-2025 Time Series Analysis

Submitted
July 9, 2025
Published
2025-08-22

Abstract

This ecological study examines the temporal patterns of public interest in online betting and gambling in Türkiye from 2022 to 2025 using Google Trends data. Weekly search probability data between January 2, 2022 - June 28, 2025, were extracted via the Google Trends Research API, supplemented by hourly data June 23-30, 2025 from its web interface. The monitoring query, "bet + bahis + casino + slot + (deneme bonusu)" was developed using the Google Ads Keyword Planner, which also identified related terms. Temporal trends were assessed using week-over-week percentage change (%) and the Mann-Kendall signed rank test, while related terms were coded and visualized with word clouds.

Across 182 weekly observations, a median 1.3% week-over-week increase in searches was observed, with a statistically significant positive trend (p < 0.001). Searches accelerated from mid-2023 and peaked in the first half of 2025; since April 2025, 2-3 of every 1,000 Google searches have contained at least one query term. Hourly data revealed that user interest was concentrated during late-night hours. Analysis of 164 frequent search terms showed that 62.2% were specific brand/site names, 15.9% involved bonus-seeking, and 14.0% aimed for site access. A similar composition was noted among 22 terms with a ≥10-fold increase in search volume.

These findings indicate a recent and significant rise in online betting interest in Türkiye, concentrated during nighttime. This trend, coupled with the marketing of illegal platforms, may heighten the risks of financial loss and addiction. This digital surveillance approach offers valuable, real-time insights into hard-to-monitor behaviors, potentially improving the targeting of public health interventions.

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