Turkey Seizes 17.75bn Lira In Illegal Betting Investigation

Turkish law enforcement agencies have launched an operation targeting suspected illegal betting networks across eight provinces, following investigations into financial transactions linked to 177 individuals.

The Interior Ministry said accounts associated with the suspects showed suspicious financial activity totalling 17.75bn lira ($365.8m).

The operation involved the government’s cybercrime and anti-smuggling units, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and local prosecutors. Raids were carried out in Adıyaman, Konya, Manisa, Muğla, Tekirdağ, Siirt, Muş and Çorum.

According to the Interior Ministry, those targeted were suspected of operating illegal betting websites and facilitating the movement of gambling proceeds through Türkiye’s financial system.

Authorities said the crackdown forms part of wider efforts to prevent criminal proceeds from entering the economy through banking and payment systems.

Under Türkiye’s Law No. 7258, operating gambling activities without a licence is a criminal offence. Cases involving illegal betting can also lead to money laundering and fraud charges.

Türkiye Steps Up Illegal Betting Enforcement

The latest operation follows a series of measures targeting illegal betting in Türkiye during 2026.

Earlier this year, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi described illegal betting as a “scourge that corrupts society” and called for tougher enforcement. He said the expansion of digital payments and cryptocurrencies had increased the use of illegal betting as a channel for money laundering.

“Casinos, junkets, cryptocurrencies and underground banking are the most critical parts of the money laundering infrastructure that fuels international organised crime,” he said. “The global gambling market will reach $205 billion in 2030.”

The government said it had blocked 548,420 illegal betting and gambling websites between 2006 and 2025, including 84,000 during 2025 alone.

Authorities Link Addiction And Illegal Betting

The government’s enforcement efforts have also focused on gambling addiction and the demand for illegal betting services.

At a Directorate of Communications panel on illegal betting and gambling addiction on 10 September, Deputy Minister of Interior Ali Çelik said reducing gambling addiction could help limit illegal betting activity.

“If we can eliminate this sector, we will also minimise the funds flowing into the hands of the next criminal organisation,” Çelik said.

Mehmet Dinç, president of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, said tackling illegal gambling requires action against both supply and demand.

“In the fight against gambling, combating supply alone is not enough,” he said. “Combating 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.”