Turkey’s Justice Minister Akın Gürlek has ordered a nationwide crackdown on illegal betting, online gambling, drug trafficking and organised crime.
Gürlek, who assumed office on 11 February 2026, said instructions have been issued for the judiciary to apply the toughest sanctions, adding that investigations are being closely monitored.
He stated: “When I took office, I emphasised my determination to combat illegal betting, street gangs, drugs and online gambling. I have sent a special directive to the chief prosecutors in all 81 provinces. I want this pursued to the very end.”
Following the directive, prosecutors across Turkey have begun examining illegal gambling websites and their financial networks, with investigations intensifying into money laundering.
At the end of last year, former Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç outlined a series of measures targeting illegal gambling, referencing the November “Action Plan for Combating Illegal Betting, Games of Chance and Gambling in Digital Environments”.
The 11th Judiciary Package introduced expanded powers, including the suspension of suspicious bank accounts for up to 48 hours, the immediate seizure of illicit gains and the direct restitution of funds to victims.
Banks are required to provide requested documents within ten days, while electronic payment accounts must undergo biometric verification and mobile subscriptions require electronic identification.
Tunç also announced planned revisions to the Turkish Penal Code and the Law on Misdemeanours, aimed at increasing penalties for illegal gambling offences and those targeting minors.
Together, these measures signal a sustained and increasingly coordinated effort by Turkish authorities to curb illegal gambling activity across the country.
The Turkish Ministry of Trade has recently blocked access to 15 highly followed social media accounts identified as promoting illegal gambling and directing users to unlicensed websites
