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Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n In T\u00fcrkiye, competition law applies to the sports sector, particularly when sports federations or clubs engage in commercial activities.<\/p>\n The Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) (REKABET KURUMU), established on 13 December 1994, can review agreements, decisions, and practices within sports that might restrict competition, including those related to match-fixing, commercial deals, such as media rights, ticketing, and sponsorship, and potential abuse of dominance by sports betting companies (see the Nesine Case below).<\/p>\n Key aspects of competition law and sport in T\u00fcrkiye:<\/p>\n Federations as Undertakings<\/strong><\/p>\n Sports federations are considered „undertakings“ under competition law when they exercise commercial activities related to the sports that they govern.<\/p>\n Match-Fixing<\/strong><\/p>\n The TCA has addressed match-fixing, recognising it as a potential violation of competition law, particularly when it involves influencing the outcome of competitions for financial gain.<\/p>\n Commercial Agreements<\/strong><\/p>\n Competition law also applies to commercial agreements within sports, such as those related to media rights, ticketing, and sponsorship, ensuring that they do not restrict competition unfairly.<\/p>\n Abuse of Dominance<\/strong><\/p>\n The TCA can investigate and penalise sports betting companies or other entities that abuse a dominant position in the market.<\/p>\n Examples<\/strong><\/p>\n The TCA has investigated and fined companies, such as Google and Adidas, for alleged violations of competition law.<\/p>\n Enforcement <\/strong><\/p>\n The TCA has the power to investigate, impose fines, and take other measures to ensure fair competition in the sports sector.<\/p>\n In essence, competition law in T\u00fcrkiye aims to ensure a level playing field in the sports sector, preventing anti-competitive practices and promoting fair competition amongst market participants.<\/p>\n Nesine Case Overview:<\/strong><\/p>\n The TCA investigated and fined, on 29 February 2024, Nesine, a major online sports betting platform, for abusing its dominant position in the market (TCA Case No. 24-11\/194-78).\u00a0The TCA found that the Nesine exclusivity agreements with various stakeholders, including sports clubs and tournament organisers, hindered competition by preventing other betting platforms from accessing advertising and sponsorship opportunities.<\/p>\n Here is a more detailed breakdown of the Nesine case:<\/p>\n Dominant Position<\/strong><\/p>\n The TCA determined that Nesine held a dominant position in the market for fixed-odds betting games offered through virtual dealers.<\/p>\n Exclusivity Agreements<\/strong><\/p>\n Nesine entered into exclusive agreements related to advertising, sponsorship, and broadcasting with key players in the sports industry.<\/p>\n Abuse of Dominance<\/strong><\/p>\n The TCA concluded that these exclusive arrangements constituted an abuse of dominance because they limited the ability of Nesine competitors to advertise and secure sponsorship deals, thus restricting competition.<\/p>\n