Istanbul prosecutors have initiated proceedings against eight individuals suspected of manipulating live betting systems, leading to losses of TL12 million (approximately $241,144) for licensed bookmakers.
At the heart of the investigation is OB, a data analyst for Spordata, which supplies sports data and technical support to legal betting operators in Turkey.
Reports indicate that OB took advantage of his position by delaying the transmission of live odds by about seven seconds during various sports matches, such as tennis and volleyball. This tactic enabled him and his accomplices, who had opened betting accounts, to place bets with prior knowledge of actual scores, thus ensuring they held an unfair advantage.
The delay not only impacted betting operators but also inflicted financial harm on Spordata itself, causing estimated total losses of TL12 million.
Evidence recovered includes WhatsApp messages that suggest a clear understanding of the manipulation, with statements like “We will make good money” and “I am managing the system right now.” These communications contradict OB’s claims to law enforcement that he had no knowledge of such activities or communications.
Following these developments, OB was detained in July of this year. The investigation has prompted Turkey’s financial crimes unit to delve into substantial financial transactions associated with his accounts, uncovering inflows and outflows totaling around TL192 million, indicative of significant financial irregularities.
In a coordinated effort, police have arrested eight additional suspects who are now facing charges alongside OB.
Recently, Turkish authorities have also targeted an illegal betting network operating across eight provinces. The Interior Ministry announced that these accounts exhibited suspicious financial activities amounting to TL17.75 billion, highlighting a pressing need to combat illegal betting.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to tackling digital illegal gambling, emphasizing its strategy to prevent criminal proceeds from entering the formal economy through financial and payment systems. Earlier in the year, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi labeled illegal betting as a “scourge that corrupts society,” stressing the need for stricter enforcement measures.
