Turkey is ramping up its efforts to crack down on unregulated gambling within its borders. Prominent finance industry figures, influencers, and even DJs have recently faced the wrath of the law due to illegal gambling allegations. Here’s a deeper dive into the Middle Eastern nation’s efforts to sanitize its gambling scene.
Turkish authorities are clamping down on unlawful betting and have recently detained dozens of individuals suspected of facilitating illegal gambling within state lines. Among them was Erhan Kork, the owner of Turkish banking companies BankPozitif, PayFix, and the Flash TV news channel. Authorities also seized 23 companies linked to Kork.
The investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime Investigation Bureau revealed serious allegations. These include forming a criminal organization, laundering money obtained from illegal activities, and breaking betting laws.
Erkan Kork is believed to be the leader of the operation. Authorities seized 17 homes, nine land plots, an office, and 13 vehicles linked to him and his alleged partners as part of the operation. They also took control of personal bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets. The investigative team also confiscated 114 company vehicles and corporate assets like partnership shares. The total value of everything seized is estimated at ₺6.9 billion (~$180 million)
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime Investigation Bureau launched an investigation into illegal betting On March 14. This move resulted in the detention of 59 people, including Kork. Prosecutors claim that Payfix, Aypara, and Ininal were created to support illegal betting operations and money laundering activities.
Authorities believe the financial activity follows patterns commonly seen in illegal betting. An upwards of ₺4.2 billion (~$110 million) was moved from the bank accounts of those under investigation to cryptocurrency service providers.
Further analysis of IP addresses linked to these transactions uncovered 43,861 Payfix wallet accounts involved in betting-related activity. These accounts processed a total of 49.67 million transactions Between August 21 and October 19, 2023.
PayFix board member Erkan Kork has been arrested along with numerous other suspects for allegedly helping process payments for illegal online gambling. Kork’s arrest is part of a broader investigation into illegal betting and gaming activities that have raised concerns among Turkish authorities.
Reports from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and the Turkish central bank revealed that Payfix’s database held 80,011 separate transaction clusters. This number covers a total of 211,109 accounts. Of these, 855 accounts were flagged as high-risk due to suspected links to illegal betting.
This activity caught the attention of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime Investigation Bureau. The bureau then launched an investigation based on suspicions that Kork and PayFix were facilitating illegal betting.
Turkish authorities have detained 59 other individuals Along with Kork after uncovering further evidence that PayFix accounts were linked to illegal online gambling. The Financial Crimes Investigation Board also found that PayFix had processed over 50 million betting transactions. Their total value is up to ₺4 billion (~$105 million). The alleged perpetrators funneled these funds into cryptocurrency exchanges.
Thus, Kork was reportedly arrested due to his suspected role in illegally laundering payments from unlicensed gambling operators in Turkey. He now faces potential charges related to these activities. Turkey has strict gambling laws, especially when it comes to online gambling. Apart from state-run operators, all forms of online betting are completely banned in the country.
The crackdown has impacted everyone. Among those affected is Turkish pop singer Serdar Ortaç. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison and fined ₺400 million (~$10.5 million) for promoting illegal gambling. However, the court suspended the sentence, placing him on probation instead.
His case is part of the wider crackdown on illegal gambling promotions, particularly targeting public figures with large followings. Ortaç was previously under house arrest alongside TV personality Mehmet Ali Erbil for alleged ties to gambling operations in Malta. His legal team later appealed, leading to the restriction being lifted. They argued he was unknowingly involved in a hotel and restaurant event linked to gambling promotions.
Another notable personality, DJ and influencer Kerimcan Durmaz, was recently released from jail after being accused of promoting gambling during a nightclub performance in Malta. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of over five years. They cited his large online following as a risk for encouraging illegal betting.
Footage from his set at Toy Room Malta reportedly showed gambling ads projected behind him. However, Durmaz denied involvement. He claimed the club displayed the images without his knowledge. Authorities argued he had turned toward the screen, making it unlikely he was unaware. Durmaz insisted his comments were misinterpreted and the report missed some key parts.
Turkey’s Minister of Finance, Mehmet Şimşek, spoke on the issue. He stated that the country remains dedicated to combating illegal gambling and fraud. Mehmet stressed that unlicensed operations funnel untaxed money into the black market and put citizens at greater risk of financial harm.
Typically, Illegal gambling undermines legitimate businesses and deprives the economy of essential tax revenue. The government misses out on funds that could be used for public services when gaming operations run outside legal frameworks. This loss creates a financial gap affecting all citizens by reducing resources for vital social programs and economic development.
Economic losses aside, illegal gaming exposes players to significant financial risks. Licensed operators follow strict regulations to ensure fair play and security, but illegal platforms often lack oversight. This situation leaves participants vulnerable to fraud and financial exploitation. Players have no legal recourse if they are scammed. Most of them undergo devastating personal losses that can drive them into debt or financial ruin.
Furthermore, unregulated gambling environments are often linked to money laundering and other forms of organized crime. It threatens public safety and increases the burden on law enforcement agencies. Şimşek promised to step up efforts against illegal gambling and lottery gaming. He also pointed out that unlicensed lottery games and raffles pose similar dangers and must be dealt with accordingly.
Turkey’s crackdown on illegal gambling remains strong as the country works to shut down businesses that threaten its financial system and put citizens at risk. At the beginning of the year, authorities reported blocking an astonishing 233,000 illegal gambling websites in 2024 alone. Clearly, the scale of their fight against illicit gaming is massive.
However, completely eradicating the black market has been a difficult challenge. Illegal operators continue to find ways to attract players who might have otherwise used legal lottery and sports betting services. As a result, enforcement efforts are even more demanding.
Turkey’s laws define illegal betting as gambling or wagering activities that operate outside the state’s legal framework. This segment is primarily governed by Law No. 7258 on Betting and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions. Illegal gambling continues to thrive Despite the presence of state-run lotteries and authorized betting services. This is especially true in professional football.
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