Galatasaray Switches to Licensed Betting Sponsorship with Misli.com After Meritking Controversy

Galatasaray Sports Club has announced a new sponsorship agreement with Misli, a licensed Turkish betting platform, for the next three football seasons—marking a significant shift following its controversial partnership with the illegal operator Meritking.news just months ago.

Under the new deal, Misli will serve as Galatasaray’s Official Betting Sponsor and right-sleeve jersey sponsor for the 2025–2026, 2026–2027, and 2027–2028 seasons. The agreement is being presented as a clean slate for Galatasaray after heavy criticism and a short-lived scandal surrounding its prior engagement with Meritking, a company repeatedly blocked in Turkey due to illegal gambling operations.

From Legal Grey Zones to a Regulated Partner

In September 2024, Galatasaray sparked widespread backlash by partnering with Meritking.news, a site accused of operating under the guise of a news platform to promote illegal betting. The Turkish government’s Sports Toto Agency filed a criminal complaint, and the club was briefly investigated. Despite clear public outrage and political attention, the case was closed with a decision of non-prosecution—raising serious concerns about impunity and the influence of top-flight clubs in regulatory enforcement.

Now, by partnering with Misli—a regulated and locally licensed betting firm—Galatasaray appears to be rebranding its stance on betting sponsorships. The club’s new message focuses on “returning sports earnings to sports,” aligning with Misli’s stated mission.

PR Recovery or Strategic Pivot?

For critics, the deal with Misli is more than a business move—it’s a reputational repair effort. After the Meritking backlash, Galatasaray faced unprecedented scrutiny for effectively promoting an operator blacklisted for illegal activity. Although the partnership was quietly terminated, it left behind questions about sponsorship ethics and the oversight of Turkish football’s commercial activities.

With Misli, the club may be trying to position itself on safer ground, opting for a partner that aligns with national gaming laws and public accountability.

Betting Sponsorships Still Under the Microscope

While betting sponsorships are legal in Turkey under state-monitored conditions, the blurred lines between licensed and unlicensed operators have made the topic increasingly contentious. Critics argue that the line between regulation and enforcement is inconsistently applied, with high-profile teams like Galatasaray seemingly able to navigate regulatory violations without consequence.

Misli’s three-season deal may now serve as a case study in how top-tier clubs can maintain betting revenue streams while avoiding reputational fallout—provided they stay within the legal lines.

Still, for many observers, the question remains: had the Meritking scandal not erupted in public view, would this pivot to legality ever have happened?