Türkiye's Crackdown on Illegal Gambling: A Model for Success or a Step Too Far?

Türkiye's aggressive crackdown on illegal gambling target betting networks but also celebrities and influencers accused of promoting them. Could this hardline be a new global blueprint?

For the last two months, Turkish authorities have drawn a line in the sand: Illegal betting will not be tolerated in the country.

Arrests have come thick and fast. In successive waves of an operation dubbed Siberag-10, at least 48 individuals have been arrested for alleged involvement in illegal betting networks.

What makes this crackdown unusual is its scope: Turkish authorities are not just targeting those behind the betting rings but also celebrities, footballers, and media owners accused of promoting them.

Among those placed under house arrest in November are Mehmet Ali Erbil, a well-known actor and TV presenter, and Serdar Ortaç, one of Türkiye’s most popular singers.

Social media influencers have also faced detention, with their accounts closed. Ibrahim Y…