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 Yilmaz, who boasted over 19 million Instagram followers, is among them. While the betting company’s name remains undisclosed, it was likely based in Malta. Erbil and Ortaç claim they were invited to Malta for an inauguration event and were unaware of the platform’s illegal status.
Sports figures are not exempt from scrutiny. Former Besiktas and Turkish national team footballer Batuhan Karadeniz has been named a fugitive, while media tycoon Acun Ilıcalı, owner of English club Hull City, is under investigation after his TV station, TV8, allegedly aired an ad for a gambling platform during a Türkiye-Montenegro match.
So why crack down now?
Türkiye has long maintained a strict stance on gambling. Under Law No. 7258, only state-licensed entities are permitted to operate gambling activities, and online gambling is prohibited outside of state-sponsored platforms.
Despite these restrictions, online gambling through international sites has flourished in Türkiye for years. Many platforms targeting Turkish users are based in jurisdictions like Cyprus, Curaçao, or Malta. A rising tide of gambling addiction in the country may have triggered the backlash.
The government reports blocking around 20,000 gambling sites each month. In 2023 alone, Turkish authorities intercepted nearly $20 million in illegal betting transactions, according to the Ministry of Finance. However, this represents only a fraction of the problem. One member of parliament estimated that up to 10 million Turks are addicted to gambling, leading to annual economic losses of $10 billion. While these figures are debated, they align closely with estimates from journalists and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board.
Regulators are leaving few stones unturned. Promoters of illegal betting sites face arrest, while new regulations target football clubs, imposing fines and point deductions for any links to illegal betting advertisements.
So why is illegal betting so popular in Türkiye?
Despite the risks, illegal betting platforms in Türkiye offer several advantages that lure players away from state-approved alternatives:
Higher Odds and Bigger Payouts: Illegal platforms often promise returns 1.5 to 2 times higher than their legal counterparts. A 100 lira wager that yields 120 lira through a licensed provider might return 140 lira or more on an illegal site, making these platforms highly appealing to bettors chasing bigger rewards, according to a breakdown by Türkiye Today.
Flexibility with Single-Match Betting: Legal platforms in Türkiye require multi-match wagers, restricting players from betting on single games. Illegal sites, however, allow single-match bets, offering simplicity and flexibility.
Broader Betting Options: Unlike in many European markets, Türkiye’s legal betting framework provides limited choices, focusing only on straightforward outcomes. Illegal platforms, by contrast, offer a wide range of options—such as betting on corners, yellow cards, or possession statistics—appealing to those seeking more variety.