Key Moments:
- Türkiye identified Curaçao, Malta, the Isle of Man, and Seychelles as major licensing hubs for illegal betting platforms targeting local users.
- Authorities blocked access to more than 535,000 gambling-related websites and disabled 12,548 servers and connection addresses.
- Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz estimated the illegal betting market at between $20 billion and $60 billion.
Offshore Licensing at the Center of Investigations
Türkiye’s General Directorate of the National Lottery Administration (MPI) found that illegal online betting platforms targeting Turkish users rely heavily on offshore licensing. Curaçao, Malta, the Isle of Man, and Seychelles remain the main licensing jurisdictions for these operators.
Although many gambling websites are hosted in countries such as the United States, they often obtain licenses from offshore regulators before targeting users in Türkiye. As a result, authorities have increased scrutiny of both hosting locations and licensing regimes.
Website Hosting and Site Blocking Data
According to the MPI, the United States hosts the largest number of betting websites that violate Turkish law. Meanwhile, the Isle of Man, Armenia, and Colombia also account for a significant share.
Authorities blocked access to 51,263 websites hosted in the United States. They also restricted 5,745 sites linked to the Isle of Man and 5,698 platforms based in Armenia. In total, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) received instructions to block about 535,000 gambling-related websites.
| Host Country | Number of Blocked Websites |
|---|---|
| United States | 51,263 |
| Isle of Man | 5,745 |
| Armenia | 5,698 |
| Total via BTK | ~535,000 |
Overall, authorities identified 84,585 illegal gambling websites across 70 countries, including Israel.
Broadening the Scope of Enforcement
MPI warned that illegal online gambling extends beyond a regulatory issue. Instead, it operates through networks linked to organized crime.
The agency said these operations recruit users from all age groups and income levels. Moreover, they generate revenue connected to money laundering, terrorism financing, drug trafficking, and other serious crimes.
Authorities also expanded the crackdown beyond website blocking. Through 152 administrative actions, they removed access to more than 5.58 million webpages, images, audio files, and payment resources linked to illegal betting.
In addition, officials continuously monitored websites, domain names, redirect services, and mobile access channels. They also targeted social media platforms, messaging services, and app-based redirect tools. As a result, authorities disabled 12,548 servers and connection endpoints.
Financial and Regulatory Interventions
Financial enforcement has also intensified. Regulators increased oversight of cryptocurrency transactions linked to illegal gambling and examined suspicious payment activity. They then referred relevant cases to judicial authorities. Consequently, officials launched asset confiscation procedures when appropriate.
Meanwhile, regulators imposed additional sanctions on unauthorized operators. Authorities ordered 11 entities to stop operating, while four companies lost their licenses during the investigations.
Scale of the Underground Market
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz estimated the illegal betting market at between $20 billion and $60 billion. Therefore, authorities continue to intensify enforcement against offshore operators and the wider networks that support illegal gambling in Türkiye.
- Author
Daniel Williams
