Turkish authorities have launched legal proceedings against 58 suspects in Istanbul over allegations involving illegal online betting operations and payment infrastructure linked to unlicensed gambling websites.
The investigation was announced by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek as part of four separate organised crime probes covering 137 suspects in Antalya, Gaziantep, Istanbul and Izmir.
The other investigations involve alleged aggravated fraud, money laundering, smuggling and international drug trafficking.
Authorities allege that the Istanbul group directed consumers towards illegal betting networks, generated illicit proceeds through online betting sites and operated payment panels integrated with those platforms.
Digital material believed to be connected with the activity was seized during searches.
The case follows an expansion of Turkish enforcement against the financial infrastructure supporting illegal gambling. On 5 September, the Ministry of Justice disclosed a separate Istanbul operation that identified 345 illegal betting websites, 110 payment methods and 1,200 IBANs.
Authorities also said approximately 98,000 websites with suspected illegal betting links had been identified during the wider investigation.
Earlier in 2026, Gürlek instructed chief public prosecutors across all 81 provinces to strengthen coordination between prosecutors, police and gendarmerie.
The directive specifically covered evidence collection, assessment of digital materials, asset measures and information sharing in illegal betting and virtual gambling investigations.
Turkey's gambling framework prohibits unauthorised betting operations as well as facilitating access to overseas gambling services, processing payments connected with illegal games and promoting participation.
Depending on the offence, operators and intermediaries can face prison sentences and judicial fines.
Regulatory action has also extended to advertising. Amendments that took effect on 1 August widened Turkey's advertising restrictions to cover promotions for illegal games of chance, adding another enforcement route alongside criminal investigations and website blocking.
Last month, Turkey launched the Don’t Fall for a Trick awareness campaign, warning consumers about unlicensed operators, misleading advertisements and promotions promising easy financial returns. The initiative accompanied the Government's broader enforcement push against illegal gambling.
Turkish law separately criminalises facilitating payments linked to unauthorised betting and gambling, with penalties including imprisonment and judicial fines
