Turkish authorities have initiated a major crackdown on illegal betting networks, mobilizing law enforcement across eight provinces. This operation stems from investigations into suspicious financial activities linked to 177 individuals.
On Monday, the Interior Ministry reported that the accounts associated with these suspects showed a concerning total of 17.75 billion lira ($365.8 million) in questionable transactions.
The operation was a collaborative effort among the cybercrime and anti-smuggling units of the government, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), and local prosecutors. Raids took place in the provinces of Adıyaman, Konya, Manisa, Muğla, Tekirdağ, Siirt, Muş, and Çorum.
Authorities have accused those involved of running illegal betting websites and channeling gambling proceeds through Türkiye’s financial system.
The Interior Ministry emphasized that the fight against digital illegal gambling would continue as part of a wider strategy aimed at preventing criminal financial activities from infiltrating the economy through banking and payment platforms.
Under Türkiye’s Law No. 7258, operating gambling activities without a license is a crime, and such offenses are frequently associated with money laundering and fraud, leading to increased penalties for offenders.
This operation is indicative of Türkiye's intensified efforts to combat illegal betting, which are expected to persist throughout 2026.
Earlier this year, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi denounced illegal betting as a “scourge that corrupts society,” signaling a transition toward more stringent enforcement measures.
Çiftçi noted that the swift rise in digital payment methods and cryptocurrencies has turned illegal betting into a significant avenue for laundering money, stating, “Casinos, junkets, cryptocurrencies and underground banking are the most critical parts of the money laundering infrastructure that fuels international organised crime.” He projected that the global gambling market would reach $205 billion by 2030.
From 2006 to 2025, the government has blocked 548,420 illegal betting and gambling websites, with 84,000 of those being targeted just in 2025.
Furthermore, to combat illegal gambling’s growth, addressing addiction has been highlighted as a crucial strategy. During a panel event on illegal betting and addiction held on September 10, Deputy Minister of Interior Ali Çelik argued that reducing addiction would subsequently decrease illegal betting activities.
Çelik remarked, “If we can eliminate this sector, we will also minimise the funds flowing into the hands of the next criminal organisation.”
Mehmet Dinç, president of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, also spoke on this issue, emphasizing the interconnected nature of the illegal betting ecosystem. He stated that combating supply alone is insufficient; both the supply and demand need to be addressed, as the challenge extends from advertisements through social media to payment systems and loans.
