Turkey targets $4.2bn illegal gambling network

In a recent investigation, Turkish authorities identified transaction volumes of approximately TL 193.37bn linked to suspected illegal gambling. Judicial proceedings were initiated against 104 suspects as part of a nationwide operation spanning 27 provinces.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said on social media that authorities carried out simultaneous operations as part of two separate investigations.

These were coordinated by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and conducted by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department. The operations targeted illegal gambling and money laundering networks based in Istanbul.

Gürlek said the fight against illegal betting and online gambling will continue decisively and confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated against 104 suspects.

He previously emphasised that under the leadership of President Erdoğan, strong coordination between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior remains central to the fight against criminal organisations.

Turkish police recently conducted another large-scale operation against illegal online gambling networks using an AI-supported system called “Avcı,” detaining 108 suspects.

Authorities blocked access to 5,151 URLs, including 5,000 illegal gambling websites, 111 promotional or redirect sites and 40 payment intermediaries linked to the networks.

At the same time, lawmakers are set to overhaul gambling laws, with regulations introducing prison sentences for players involved in illegal gambling being drafted. Furthermore, illegal gambling court cases are being expedited as part of a broader enforcement effort.

Earlier, it was reported that Turkey is planning fines for around 3.1 million players identified in illegal betting sweeps, with penalties ranging from TL 100,000 to TL 400,000. However, this figure was announced in early May, and the number of identified players might have increased since then.