Turkey Sweeps Illegal Betting Network: 150 Detained, 23 Firms Under Trusteeship

Turkish authorities launched coordinated operations against illegal betting networks and criminal organizations across 18 provinces on October 27, 2026. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office coordinated the raids, which targeted 79 suspects and 23 companies. Police teams from the Cyber Crimes Department carried out simultaneous searches and seizures at identified addresses.

Officers detained 55 of the 79 suspects, while 24 remain at large. Authorities placed 23 companies under trusteeship and seized a large amount of digital material during the raids. Access to the illegal betting websites used by the suspects was also blocked.

“We will continue our efforts to cut off the financial resources of criminal organizations and protect our youth from criminal activities.”

Investigators determined that the suspects operated illegal betting sites and provided software and call center services for gambling activities. They also examined money transfers allegedly used to launder criminal proceeds through companies and crypto asset exchanges. The suspects reportedly used company accounts to pay salaries to employees working at illegal betting sites.

The total suspicious transaction volume reached approximately 21 billion 319 million Turkish liras, according to a report by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK). In a separate investigation in Edirne, authorities detected transaction volume of 1 billion liras in suspects' bank accounts within a single month.

A second operation led by Istanbul prosecutors covered 30 provinces and targeted 100 people, including 34 children involved in the judicial process. Police detained 87 suspects, 31 of whom are children, while 13 fugitives remain wanted.

A third investigation coordinated by the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office led to operations in five provinces against 12 suspects. Officers detained eight people, while four suspects remain at large.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated that authorities will continue efforts to cut off criminal organizations' financial resources and protect young people from crime. He said operations will persist to ensure street safety and prevent betting networks from financing illegal groups.