Turkey prosecutors have moved to freeze 6,314 bank accounts allegedly used to process illegal betting transactions. The action was timed to coincide with the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Sixteen people detained as part of an investigation into a network suspected of managing payments for illegal betting websites.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said investigators identified the accounts in advance and instructed 32 banks to freeze them simultaneously when the final began, when betting activity was expected to reach particularly high levels.
The operation was coordinated by the Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Investigation Bureau, a specialised unit established within the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in June.
Investigators also identified 19 locations described as "external finance houses," which allegedly functioned as payment-processing centres for illegal betting platforms. The locations were suspected of collecting gambling proceeds, managing bank accounts and cards and transferring funds between accounts associated with betting websites.
Proceedings were launched against 23 suspects, with 16 detained during raids on the identified locations. Authorities were continuing efforts to locate the remaining seven.
Cybercrime police identified the accounts through technical analysis, field intelligence and an AI-assisted system known as AVCI. Prosecutors said delaying the freezes until the World Cup final allowed investigators to continue monitoring the network before disrupting transactions during the expected peak period.
Separately, Turkish authorities have also detained 17 football club officials in an investigation into betting activity involving matches during their time in office.
The probe examined data from legally operating betting platforms covering 2020 to 2026. Authorities identified individuals suspected of placing wagers involving their own clubs, including bets favoring opposing teams, as well as wagers on goals and individual players.
Police launched simultaneous operations across 10 provinces, centered on Istanbul, targeting 19 suspects. Seventeen were detained and subsequently referred to the courthouse, while authorities continued efforts to locate the remaining two.
The case forms part of a broader investigation into betting within Turkish football that began in October 2025 with allegations involving referees. Scrutiny has since expanded to players, club executives and other football officials.
The operation comes amid a broader investigation into betting within Turkish football, which has expanded to players, referees and club officials since 2025
