Turkey reports 5,949 arrests in nine-month crackdown on illegal betting

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the results of a nine-month campaign against illegal betting in Turkey. Speaking on social media, Gürlek said 901 operations were carried out across all 81 provinces between February and 4 November 2026.

The operations were coordinated by the Directorate for Organized Crime, Narcotics and Economic Crimes. Public prosecutor's offices, police and gendarmerie organizations, MASAK and other relevant institutions cooperated in the investigations.

“No crime, its activities, or the proceeds it obtained through crime will be able to hide their traces and escape justice.”

Judicial proceedings were initiated against 15,710 suspects during the period. Of these, 5,949 suspects were arrested and 3,570 were placed under judicial control measures.

Financial investigations revealed a transaction volume of 2.63 trillion Turkish liras, 9.08 million dollars and 3.49 million euros linked to illegal betting activities.

Gürlek described illegal betting as a serious threat that disrupts social peace, harms families and supports criminal organizations. He said the fight continues not only on the ground but also by investigating all connections and illegal proceeds.

The minister pledged that coordination among institutions would continue to bring illegal betting networks and those responsible to justice. He thanked prosecutors, police, gendarmerie, MASAK and public officials for their work.

Gürlek warned that no criminal organization would escape justice by hiding its activities or illicit gains.