Turkey’s crackdown on gambling has intensified after President Erdoğan described online betting as potentially more dangerous than terrorism.Speaking at a public event...
Turkish Justice Minister commits to stop illegal gambling
Turkey’s AKP government has committed to fully eliminating illegal gambling in the country, with newly appointed Justice Minister Akın Gürlek warning that every department is responsible for helping strengthen enforcement against illegal operations.
The AKP had previously imposed changes in the supervision of Turkey’s financial system and transactions by giving authority to the intelligence unit of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK).
After Gürlek took charge of the ministry in March 2026, he sent 171 letters to chief public prosecutor offices in 81 provincial administrations, stressing the government’s orders to fight against and report on illegal and online betting. The ministry also demanded that Turkish prosecutors hold coordination meetings every six months in collaboration with MASAK and law enforcement.
Gürlek stated:
“These meetings aim to address the practices and problems encountered in the investigation and prosecution processes related to illegal betting and gambling crimes. The principal issues are evidence collection, the evaluation of digital materials, the application of measures against assets, as well as appeal and cassation of court decisions, which must be examined in detail. It is essential that information sharing and coordination mechanisms between institutions are strengthened so that investigations can be conducted more effectively.”
Gürlek will have the authority to add changes in Turkey’s 11th Judicial Package, which will see the country adopt legal measures to prosecute illegal gambling with stricter prison sentences, financial penalties, and seizure of financial accounts connected to illegal betting.
From February 1, 2026, Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board, MASAK, will assume responsibility for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing by supervising...
