Turkey targets TRY17.75bn in illegal betting crackdown
Turkish authorities have launched another major offensive against illegal online betting, targeting accounts linked to TRY17.75 billion in suspicious financial activity.
Law enforcement agencies carried out coordinated raids across eight provinces after investigations identified 177 suspects allegedly connected to illegal betting operations and the movement of gambling proceeds through the Turkish financial system.
The operation involved cybercrime and anti-smuggling units, Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board, known as MASAK, and prosecutors.
Authorities targeted suspects in Adıyaman, Konya, Manisa, Muğla, Tekirdağ, Siirt, Muş and Çorum.
Officials allege those involved operated illegal betting websites or facilitated payments and transfers connected with the platforms.
The TRY17.75 billion figure, equivalent to roughly US$366 million, relates to suspicious activity identified across accounts linked to the suspects rather than an amount authorities have confirmed was entirely gambling revenue.
Turkey has substantially stepped up enforcement against illegal online betting during 2026.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said earlier this month that authorities had identified 345 illegal betting websites, 110 payment methods and 1,200 bank accounts during another investigation, while approximately 98,000 websites with suspected illegal-betting connections had been detected.
Illegal gambling operators in Turkey can face criminal prosecution under Law No. 7258, with gambling investigations frequently extending into suspected fraud and money laundering.
Authorities also blocked more than 548,000 illegal betting and gambling websites between 2006 and 2025, including approximately 84,000 during 2025 alone.
The Turkish government has increasingly focused on payment flows rather than simply blocking websites, arguing that digital payments and cryptocurrency have made illegal betting an important source of funds for organised crime.
Deputy Interior Minister Ali Çelik said last week that cutting demand for illegal gambling was also necessary.
“If we can eliminate this sector, we will also minimise the funds flowing into the hands of the next criminal organisation,” Çelik said.
