Turkish authorities have launched a significant crackdown on illegal betting operations across eight provinces, uncovering fraudulent financial transactions amounting to 17.75 billion lira ($365.8 million). This extensive operation followed detailed investigations into the financial activities involving 177 suspects.
Raids were coordinated in the provinces of Adıyaman, Konya, Manisa, Muğla, Tekirdağ, Siirt, Muş, and Çorum. The Ministry of the Interior reported that the suspects allegedly managed websites dedicated to illegal betting and facilitated the movement of gambling money through Turkey’s financial system.
Cybercrime and anti-smuggling units, alongside the Financial Crimes Investigation Board and district prosecutors, were involved in the operation. Under Law No 7258, conducting unlicensed gambling activities is illegal in Turkey.
Between 2006 and 2025, Turkish officials indicated that 548,420 illegal betting and gambling websites were blocked by the government. Notably, 84,000 of these websites were restricted in just 2025.
Deputy Interior Minister Ali Çelik remarked, "Casinos, junkets, cryptocurrencies, and underground banking are the most critical parts of the money laundering infrastructure that fuels international organized crime. The global gambling market will reach $205 billion in 2030."
Mehmet Dinç, president of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, emphasized the complexity of the issue, stating, "In the fight against gambling, combating supply alone is not enough. Combatting demand alone is not enough; merely shutting down websites is not enough. This is an ecosystem: it starts with advertisements and continues through social media, sporting activities, influencers, games, mobile applications, payment systems, loans, bets, losses, debt, and continued betting."
This operation is part of a larger enforcement campaign that is gaining momentum throughout 2026.
