Turkey is tightening its grip on illegal gambling, but new data shows demand is still rising. This suggests that enforcement is shifting how and where people place bets rather than reducing activity.
Gambling is heavily restricted in the country. Since the early 2000s, gambling in Turkey has largely mostly controlled by the state, with a few authorised operators including the national lottery, horse racing, and the state-owned IDDAA sports betting firm. This situation has led to the rise of offshore and unlicensed platforms. Despite strict anti-gambling laws, illegal betting has continued to flourish. This growth is primarily fuelled by advancements in technology and the influence of social media. With limited legal options, users often turn to alternatives.
Figures from iGaming market-intelligence platform Blask show a steady rise in betting interest over the past nine months. The Blask Index tracks overall user interest across betting brands using search behaviour and other signals that indicate intent to engage. According to Blask data, Turkey’s index rose from 55.07 million in August 2025 to 93.26 million in April 2026, peaking at 96.23 million in January. While there are spikes linked to major events, the broader trend shows a gradual increase over time.
Enforcement intensified across multiple fronts
Turkey’s crackdown on illegal gambling has expanded in recent years both in scale and scope. The country’s Treasury and Finance Ministry, through the National Lottery Administration, blocked access to 233,000 illegal betting and gambling websites in 2024. Financial controls have also tightened in the country. The government is leveraging technology, banking restrictions, and enhanced legal powers to dismantle the financial infrastructure behind illicit gambling activities. As part of this, there is monitoring of payment channels and stronger powers to freeze suspicious accounts.
In March, Turkish authorities launched a coordinated national enforcement strategy led by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek. The enforcement strategy plans to bring together prosecutors, police, and specialised units. The focus of the strategy will be digital investigations, asset seizures, and improved information sharing.
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Last year, a major betting scandal in Turkish football led to the suspension of 149 referees. Turkish court jailed 20 suspects, including Super Lig players, pending trial as part of an expanding betting investigation that authorities warn may continue to widen. The case began after authorities were alerted to unusual betting patterns.
The ‘crackdown paradox’ in the data
Despite these measures, the Blask Index shows that demand increased by roughly 70 per cent between August and April. Enforcement activity has risen, but user interest has also continued to grow.
Similar patterns have been observed in other markets. In Nepal, a nationwide ban on betting apps and websites came into effect on 30 March, but early indications suggest demand has not disappeared. In India, the use of offshore betting apps increased from about 68.3 per cent to 82 per cent after restrictions on online real-money gaming were introduced, according to a survey by CUTS International. Another survey by CUTS International found that 83 per cent of respondents in Tamil Nadu continued or began using offshore betting platforms after the ban.
Sports drive spikes, but not the overall trend
As shown by the data, peaks in the Blask data align with periods of high football activity, including European competitions and domestic leagues. One of these events was the EuroBasket 2025 championship, which took place from late August through 14 September 2025.
A major championship that Turks have been looking forward to was the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) playoff final. In March, Turkey qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers playoff final after 24 years.
Payment restrictions are disrupting activity
Since January, Turkish authorities have been increasingly focusing on payment systems, such as digital wallets and intermediaries used to transfer betting funds. Regulators have wider powers to freeze accounts, monitor transactions, and track financial flows. Meanwhile, cybercrime units have stepped up their efforts against online betting networks. Recently, Turkey authorities have dismantled a cybercrime network with estimated monthly transaction volume of $3 billion.
This shows in the data. After hitting a high in January, the Blask Index fell in February before going up again in March and April. The pattern indicates a time of disruption followed by a recovery in activity. Findings from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) note that restricting payment channels can slow illicit activity, but it frequently causes users to shift to alternative methods rather than eliminating demand.
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