Turkish banks have begun sending direct warnings to their customers, informing them of new legal and criminal consequences for accounts involved in or facilitating illegal online gambling.
These notifications were approved by Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç as part of the coordination of the AKP government’s “Action Plan” against illegal gambling, which calls on all government authorities to work together to “eradicate illicit gambling.” The initiative is led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The directive followed the approval of the 11th Judicial Package by the Ministry of Justice on December 15. It introduced extensive legislative reforms that expanded prosecutorial powers and enabled enforcement against financial crimes, as well as illegal operations supporting the activities of unlicensed online gambling operators.
The new law enforcement powers allow prosecutors to directly seize funds, suspend operations, and initiate criminal cases. Amendments to Turkey’s Penal Code strengthen penalties, introducing longer prison sentences and higher financial fines for both individuals and groups involved in illegal gambling.
The reforms are particularly significant for banks and payment organizations: the 11th Judicial Package imposes new duties and oversight tools aimed at restricting the financial infrastructure supporting illegal betting. Participants and intermediaries now face higher fines, wider asset confiscation, and freezing of bank and digital payment accounts for up to 48 hours during investigations.
Banks and payment processors are also required to comply with “cooperative demands” from Turkish authorities. Financial institutions must provide requested transaction data, account records, and payment histories to prosecutors or courts within 10 days. Failure to comply may result in administrative penalties or criminal sanctions for both the institutions and their executives.
Commenting on the reforms, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç emphasized that the government aims to close enforcement gaps that previously allowed illegal betting networks to operate “unpunished and at scale.”
“Illegal betting and online gambling are not only crimes, but also channels that finance organized crime and cause serious social harm,” Tunç said, adding that the reforms are designed to deter offenders effectively and support law enforcement efforts.
During the Christmas period, Turkish media reported that Ziraat Bankası, Türkiye İş, and Garanti BBVA were the first banks to issue customer warnings, marking the start of a sector-wide rollout of measures.
These measures will also apply to mobile payment applications and digital wallet providers, bringing fintech platforms under the same legal compliance and reporting requirements as traditional banks.
MASAK Launches Zero-Tolerance Enforcement
The operation is coordinated by MASAK — Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board, which leads the government’s action plan against illegal betting and money laundering.
MASAK has intensified oversight of bank transfers, payment intermediaries, and digital wallets, working closely with prosecutors and the Ministry of Interior to dismantle financial networks linked to unlicensed gambling.
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç emphasized that financial intelligence will be a key tool in the strategy. “Our goal is to detect criminal activity at its source, track the flow of funds, and intervene before the money is hidden or transferred abroad,” he stated.
The scale of the campaign was demonstrated in December, when 42 suspects were detained during a major illegal betting investigation, uncovering transactions exceeding 6 billion Turkish lira (~$149 million). The operation included widespread asset seizures, including bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets, reinforcing official warnings that illegal betting has become a serious organized financial crime threat.
Enforcement measures have also expanded into the media sector following high-profile investigations of platforms accused of promoting or facilitating illegal betting.
Recent actions focused on GAİN Medya, part of a major platform linked to Anahat Holding, amid allegations of illegal betting, organized crime, and money laundering. Senior executives were detained during the investigation, and authorities immediately secured assets believed to be linked to criminal proceeds.
During the operation, the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) was appointed as trustee for seven Anahat Holding companies, marking a rare and significant intervention in the country’s media group. Investigators also conducted large-scale asset seizures across media and related companies, including movable and immovable property, financial accounts, and corporate assets.
Authorities emphasized that the GAİN Medya case reflects broader shifts in enforcement priorities: regulators are now targeting not only payment channels and consumers, but also media, advertising, and distribution networks allegedly supporting demand for illegal gambling services.
Warnings and Measures for 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the Ministry of Justice reaffirmed full support for President Erdoğan’s initiative to eradicate illegal gambling by all available means. Tunç stated that the ministry is prepared to amend or introduce legislation to strengthen enforcement against illegal gambling and related financial crimes.
While enforcement efforts have so far focused primarily on domestic activity, MASAK and the Ministry of Justice confirmed that the next phase will involve international cooperation and cross-border enforcement. Authorities also highlighted increased scrutiny of jurisdictions accused of hosting or enabling operators illegally targeting Turkish consumers, naming Cyprus, Georgia, North Macedonia, and Armenia as priority directions.
President Erdoğan reiterated a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal gambling, noting that enforcement intensity will be significantly increased in 2026. The government views the full termination of illegal gambling as a strategic objective: Erdoğan stated that dismantling illegal gambling networks must be completed before Turkey’s next national elections, with all government agencies held accountable for carrying out the task.
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