Minister of Justice Gürlek announced an illegal betting operation before the Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş match

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that a comprehensive operation was carried out in order to interrupt the money traffic directed to illegal betting sites before the Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş match.

Minister Gürlek stated that the operation was carried out under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Gürlek stated that 345 illegal betting sites, 110 different payment methods and 1200 IBANs were detected within the scope of the studies.

Stating that approximately 98 thousand websites used in connection with illegal betting were identified, Gürlek announced that a judicial decision was taken to block access to these sites.

Within the scope of the operation, 1200 bank accounts belonging to 1048 real and legal persons were also seized.

ACCESS TO 98 THOUSAND WEBSITES IS BLOCKED

The statement said:

"Major sports competitions, which are watched with great interest throughout the country, are the periods when money traffic in illegal betting activities is at its highest, and in this context, just before the Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş match on September 5, 2026, in which millions of our citizens are interested, a comprehensive operation was carried out by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in order to interrupt the high-volume financial flow to illegal betting sites as soon as it intensified.

Under the coordination of the Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau of our Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, by the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command Anti-Cyber Crimes Branch Directorate; Technical investigation and research activities were carried out on illegal betting sites operating in Turkey, as well as the bank accounts and payment methods used by players to deposit money on these sites.

As a result of the studies carried out; 345 different illegal betting sites, 110 different payment methods used on these sites, 1200 IBANs used for financial intermediation purposes and approximately 98,000 websites that are considered to be used for betting activities and related referrals have been identified. It was decided to block access to approximately 98,000 websites identified by taking the necessary judicial decisions.

Within the scope of the studies carried out, bank accounts offered to players by illegal betting sites for depositing money were identified; It has been determined that the accounts in question mediate illegal betting and laundering of proceeds from illegal betting. In this context, a total of 1,200 IBAN accounts belonging to 1,048 separate real and legal persons were seized, and an investigation was initiated against these 1,048 individuals for the crimes of Violating Law No. 7258 and Laundering Assets Originating from Crime.

Seizures and other protective measures within the scope of the investigation are carried out quickly within the framework of the decisions of the Istanbul Criminal Judgeship of Peace on Duty, the necessary warrants have been written to the banks, and the seizure orders have been fulfilled in coordination with all relevant institutions. Investigations into illegal betting and related laundering activities will be continued with determination.

It is announced to the public with respect."