Turkey Targets 130 Suspects in Illegal Betting Probe Tied to $4.24 Billion Money Flow

Turkish authorities launched coordinated operations against illegal betting and suspected money laundering as part of two investigations overseen by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said legal action had been initiated against 130 suspects.

Investigators are examining a money trail of more than TL 195 billion — roughly $4.24 billion at the June 5 USD/TRY rate — across alleged betting networks, electronic money systems, crypto transfers and other financial channels. The cases also involve MASAK, Turkey’s financial intelligence unit, and the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey.

Two Investigations Were Led from Istanbul

Gürlek said the operations were carried out by the Istanbul Police Department under the coordination of prosecutors in Istanbul. The first case is being handled by the Bureau for the Prevention of Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering Crimes, while the second is being conducted by the Cybercrimes Investigation Bureau.

The investigations focus on illegal betting organizations, online gambling structures and the alleged laundering of proceeds generated through those activities. Gürlek said the crackdown was carried out in coordination with relevant public institutions and would continue without compromise.

Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın @RTErdogan‘ın talimatları doğrultusunda; başta İçişleri Bakanlığımız olmak üzere ilgili tüm kurum ve kuruluşlarımızla koordinasyon ve eş güdüm içerisinde, yasa dışı bahis, sanal kumar ve suçtan kaynaklanan malvarlığı değerlerinin aklanmasına karşı…

— Akın Gürlek (@abakingurlek) June 5, 2026

First Case Involves TL 193.4 Billion in Transactions

In the first file, prosecutors identified approximately TL 193.367 billion in transaction volume linked to suspected illegal betting activity, equal to about $4.20 billion. Simultaneous operations were conducted in 27 provinces, and legal proceedings were initiated against 104 suspects.

The IHA news agency reported that this part of the investigation refers to a network allegedly coordinated by I.O.O. The suspects are accused of moving illegal betting proceeds through bank accounts, pool accounts, crypto asset transfers and commercial transactions in an effort to conceal the source of the funds.

Financial movements between the suspects are being reviewed through MASAK reports and police financial analysis. Company links, account activity and digital materials remain under examination as part of the judicial process.

Parolapara Named in Payment Institution File

The second investigation focuses on transactions made through electronic money and payment systems. Habertürk identified the payment institution named in this file as Parolapara Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri A.Ş..

According to Gürlek’s statement, the electronic money and payment institution under review reached a transaction volume of TL 2.1 billion in 2024, or approximately $45.6 million. The figure relates to transactions from 2024 that are now being examined within the scope of the investigation.

Operations linked to this file were carried out in Istanbul, Kocaeli and Yalova. Authorities initiated proceedings against 26 suspects as they examine whether payment infrastructure was used in connection with illegal betting and money laundering.

Payment Flows and Digital Records Under Review

The Parolapara-linked file includes searches, seizure procedures and the review of digital materials. Investigators are also examining company connections, customer accounts, POS transactions, electronic money transfers and suspicious transaction processes.

The sharp rise in transaction volume, the movement of funds through payment systems and the possible links between those flows and illegal betting networks are among the main issues in the case.

Gürlek Says Crackdown Will Continue

Gürlek thanked the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Istanbul Police Department, MASAK, the Central Bank and other institutions involved in the process.

He said authorities would maintain their fight against illegal betting, online gambling, organized crime and the laundering of criminal proceeds, warning that such networks target society, families and young people in particular.

The investigations are continuing, with financial records, digital evidence, company structures and payment flows still under review.