Some 233,000 gambling sites were detected by the general directorate of the national lottery administration (MPI), affiliated with the ministry of treasury and finance (MoTF), in Turkey over 2024, with requests made to block access to the sites. The websites were also reported to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the national Cyber ​​Crimes Department to commence criminal investigations.

State-owned sports betting company IDDAA is the only organisation that can legally offer Turkish citizens access to any form of online gambling.

The MPI figures for 2024, reported by the state-run Anadolu Ajansı agency, show an increase compared to 2023, when 168,000 illegal sites were detected.

In 2024, some 56% of the illicit sites were located in the US. A further 17% were of Armenian origin, and 6% were of Dutch origin.

Minister targets illegal gambling in Turkey

Mehmet Şimşek, Turkey’s treasury and finance minister, said: “We are determined to prevent unregistered economic activities and financial crimes that cause tax loss and victimisation of our citizens. We are taking all kinds of measures to prevent illegal betting, virtual gambling and unauthorised draws, and we will continue to do so.”

A further area of concern for the Turkish administration is illegal lottery draws. In 2024, the National Lottery Administration (NLA) filed a criminal complaint with the public prosecutor’s offices regarding 286 unauthorised draws requesting legal action against businesses and their leaders.

According to Şimşek, those organising a lottery without NLA permission face imprisonment of up to six years and a judicial fine.

“Accordingly, permission is required for organising any kind of lottery or raffle for paid or free goods,” Şimşek added, warning illegal operators the fight to restrict their activities will continue without interruption.

“Otherwise, administrative, financial or criminal sanctions stipulated in the relevant legislation may be encountered.”