Turkey Conducts 800+ Illegal Betting Operations in 8 Months
The figures were disclosed during a government panel on illegal betting and gambling addiction and published in a September 10 update from Turkey’s Directorate of Communications. Çelik put the average number of operations over the previous five years at around 250, compared with more than 800 so far this year.
800+ Operations Mark a Sharp Increase
The Interior Ministry figures cover January through August 2026:
With four months still left in 2026, the eight-month total is already more than three times the average of around 250 operations reported for the previous five years. The official update did not provide a breakdown of the TRY60 billion figure by group or individual operation.
Çelik said the authorities are approaching illegal betting through both supply and demand. At the same panel, Financial Crimes Investigation Board chief Hasan Kaymak said Turkey would continue efforts to prevent criminal organizations from using the financial system and drawing people into their networks.
Payment Controls Are Also Under Review
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said the government is also working on the payment side of the illegal betting market. Measures under discussion include faster intervention against illegal payment channels, additional controls for risky accounts and wider financial data sharing.
Yılmaz also said penalties could be increased when illegal betting offenses involve organized groups or children, according to his September 9 remarks.