Turkish authorities have initiated a big operation against illegal betting networks in eight provinces identifying dubious financial transactions worth 17.75 billion lira ($365.8 million).
The operation was carried out following investigations on financial transactions of 177 suspects.
Authorities conducted coordinated raids in Adıyaman, Konya, Manisa, Muğla, Tekirdağ, Siirt, Muş and Çorum. The Ministry of the Interior stated that the suspects are believed to have operated websites for illegal betting and helped in the transfer of the proceedings of gambling money through the financial system of Turkey.
The operation employed cybercrime and anti-smuggling units, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board and the district prosecutors. Under Law No 7258, running gambling activities without a license is a crime in Turkey.
As reported by Turkish authorities, a number of illegal betting and gambling websites blocked by Turkey’s government comprised of 548,420 websites between the years 2006 and 2025, of which there were 84,000 websites blocked only in 2025.
Deputy Interior Minister Ali Çelik said:
Casinos, junkets, cryptocurrencies and underground banking are the most critical parts of the money laundering infrastructure that fuels international organised crime, The global gambling market will reach $205 billion in 2030.
Mehmet Dinç, president of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, said:
In the fight against gambling, combating supply alone is not enough. 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.
The operation forms part of a broader enforcement campaign that has intensified throughout 2026.
