Minister of Justice Gürlek: 98 Thousand Illegal Betting Sites Detected, 1,200 Bank Accounts Seized
Quick Look
- Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that 345 illegal betting sites, 110 payment methods, 1,200 IBANs and approximately 98 thousand illegal betting-related websites were detected in the operation carried out under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
- While the decision to block access to these sites was taken, 1,200 bank accounts of 1,048 people used in laundering proceeds of crime were seized and an investigation was launched within the scope of Law No.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
This comprehensive operation, led by the President of Turkey, aims to control financial flows prior to major sporting events.
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that a comprehensive operation was carried out against illegal betting and laundering of crime proceeds. Gürlek announced that important findings were reached in the operation carried out to stop the money traffic directed to illegal betting sites before the Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş match.
98 THOUSAND ILLEGAL BETTING SITES WERE DETECTED
In his post on his social media account, Minister Gürlek stated that the fight against illegal betting and laundering of criminal proceeds is being continued with determination under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
It was reported that in the study carried out under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 345 illegal betting sites, 110 different payment methods, 1,200 IBANs and approximately 98 thousand websites linked to illegal betting were detected as a result of the investigations carried out by the teams of the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command's Anti-Cyber Crimes Branch Directorate.
THOUSAND 200 BANK ACCOUNTS WERE SEIZED
Stating that a judicial decision was taken to block access to approximately 98 thousand websites, Gürlek announced that 1,200 bank accounts belonging to 1,048 real and legal persons were seized, which were considered to be used in illegal betting activities and laundering of crime proceeds.
Minister Gürlek stated that an investigation was launched against those concerned for the crimes of violating Law No. 7258 and laundering assets resulting from crime.
"WE WILL NOT ALLOW ILLEGAL BETTING NETWORKS"
Gürlek thanked the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command and all public officials who carried out the operation, and emphasized that the fight against illegal betting networks and crime proceeds will continue with determination.
Gürlek stated that those who try to turn the excitement of sports into illegal income will not be allowed.
DECISION TO BLOCK ACCESS TO 98 THOUSAND SITES
Under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a comprehensive operation was carried out by the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command's Cyber Crimes Branch Directorate to detect illegal betting activities and the mobility of criminal proceeds obtained from these activities within the financial system.
It was stated that the operation was carried out in order to stop the high volume of money traffic directed to illegal betting sites before the Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş match played on September 5, 2026.
Within the scope of the studies, 345 illegal betting sites, 110 different payment methods, 1,200 IBANs used in financial intermediation and approximately 98 thousand websites linked to illegal betting were detected.
While judicial decisions were taken to block access to approximately 98 thousand websites, 1,200 bank accounts belonging to 1,048 real and legal persons who were determined to be used in illegal betting activities and laundering of crime proceeds were seized.
An investigation was launched against the suspects for the crimes of violating Law No. 7258 and laundering assets resulting from crime.
It was reported that within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, efforts are continuing to reveal the digital and financial infrastructure of illegal betting networks, prevent the circulation of criminal proceeds, and identify connected persons and structures.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Access to 98,000 tracked websites will be restricted and financial channels used in illegal gambling activities will be further constrained.
Very likely · Within weeks
As part of the Law No. 7258 investigation, more evidence will be gathered about the suspects and some may be arrested.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What will be the criminal proceedings regarding the tracked sites and accounts?
- How will the effect of this operation be measured in preventing similar activities?
- Who are the owners of the accounts handled and do they have connections?
