Turkey Tightens Its Grip on Illegal Online Gambling

Turkey Tightens Its Grip on Illegal Online Gambling

Turkey's efforts to curb illegal online gambling are entering a more structured and far-reaching phase, as authorities move beyond blocking websites and prosecuting operators to focus on the financial systems that support them. Recent steps approved by the Ministry of Justice suggest a recalibration of enforcement priorities, placing banks, payment providers, and digital finance platforms at the centre of the country's regulatory response.

The initiative, authorised by Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, forms part of a broader action plan operating under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership. While Turkey has long maintained restrictions on gambling activity, officials now appear intent on addressing what they view as the underlying infrastructure that allows unlicensed platforms to function. Rather than relying on sporadic enforcement actions, the new approach aims to create sustained pressure through legal, financial, and institutional coordination.

At the legislative level, amendments to the Penal Code represent a significant shift in how illegal gambling cases may be pursued. Prosecutors have been granted expanded authority to seize assets, suspend business activities, and initiate proceedings against both individuals and corporate entities suspected of involvement. Penalties have also been revised, with longer custodial sentences and higher financial sanctions intended to strengthen deterrence. These changes suggest a move toward earlier intervention, allowing authorities to act before networks become deeply embedded.

Financial institutions are now expected to play a more active role in this framework. Banks and licensed payment organisations have begun issuing warnings to customers about potential legal consequences associated with illegal gambling transactions. At the same time, their own compliance obligations have increased. When prosecutors request transaction records or account histories, institutions must respond within ten days. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to penalties that extend beyond corporate fines to include personal liability for senior management.

The scope of these obligations reflects changes in how payments are made in Turkey. Mobile payment applications and fintech platforms are explicitly subject to the same compliance standards as traditional banks. Regulators appear intent on preventing illegal gambling operators from exploiting newer payment channels that may previously have received less scrutiny. By aligning oversight across financial technologies, authorities aim to reduce opportunities for regulatory arbitrage.

Enforcement efforts are being led by MASAK, Turkey's Financial Crimes Investigation Board, which has intensified its monitoring of financial activity linked to unlicensed gambling. Rather than focusing solely on visible platforms, MASAK is examining transfer patterns, digital wallets, and payment networks to identify how funds move between users and operators. This focus on financial flows is intended to weaken illegal gambling structures gradually, disrupting their ability to operate even when websites remain accessible.

Recent operations indicate that this strategy is already producing measurable outcomes. Authorities have confirmed that 42 individuals have been detained as part of coordinated investigations, alongside the seizure of assets valued at approximately TL6 billion, or around €140 million. These assets reportedly include funds and business holdings connected to suspected illegal gambling activity, highlighting the scale of financial exposure involved.

Some investigations have extended into sectors not traditionally associated with gambling enforcement, drawing public attention. One such case involves GAIN Medya, linked to Anahat Holding. As part of the investigation, assets connected to the group were seized, and several executives were detained. The appointment of the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund as trustee for companies tied to Anahat Holding underscores the authorities' willingness to intervene directly in corporate structures where financial misconduct is alleged.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Justice has indicated that enforcement efforts will continue to expand through 2026. Plans include increased cooperation with international partners, particularly in jurisdictions believed to host or facilitate platforms targeting Turkish users. Given the cross-border nature of online gambling, officials appear to view international coordination as essential to sustaining domestic enforcement gains.

President Erdoğan has publicly reiterated a zero-tolerance stance toward illegal gambling, framing the issue as one requiring consistent action across government bodies. Officials have stated that dismantling illegal gambling networks ahead of the next general election is a priority, suggesting that political oversight will remain closely tied to enforcement outcomes. This commitment places additional responsibility on prosecutors, regulators, and financial institutions to demonstrate progress.