Turkey Launches Major Operation Against Illegal Betting Network

Turkish authorities have carried out a large-scale crackdown on Showbahis, an online platform prosecutors say was used to run an organized illegal betting scheme across multiple provinces. Although Showbahis is not among the biggest or best-known offshore betting brands, investigators say the financial data uncovered in the operation highlights how even mid-tier illegal platforms can move substantial amounts of money inside Turkey’s shadow gambling economy.

A Coordinated Operation Across Six Provinces

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that the investigation is being led by its economic crimes division, with cybercrime units executing simultaneous raids in six provinces.

Authorities conducted 17 searches at locations linked to the network. A total of 20 suspects were detained, while one person remains wanted. According to the investigation file, the platform was operated by a 22-person hierarchy consisting of a leader, several coordinators and a wider group managing payments, users and technical functions.

Financial Findings: Over 2 Billion Lira in Transactions

Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) traced approximately 2.08 billion Turkish lira in suspicious transactions flowing through bank accounts tied to the suspects. The funds are believed to represent illicit betting revenues generated through Showbahis.

To secure the assets, prosecutors froze multiple bank accounts and placed vehicles, properties and digital equipment under seizure orders. Large amounts of digital data — including account records, communication files and transaction logs — were confiscated for further analysis.

Despite its relatively modest brand recognition compared with larger illegal operators, Showbahis appears to have handled a surprisingly high volume of transactions, illustrating how fragmented operators can still generate significant flows within Turkey’s broader illegal betting ecosystem.

Understanding the Scale of Illegal Betting in Turkey

The financial findings in the Showbahis case stand out more clearly when viewed against the estimated size of Turkey’s illegal betting market.

Analysts commonly place the value of the illegal online betting economy at tens of billions of lira annually, with some estimates running far higher when offshore platforms and unreported activity are included. The market is driven by several structural factors:

• a large and highly active football-watching population,

• limited legal sports-betting alternatives,

• widespread smartphone access and digital payment tools,

• a young demographic increasingly exposed to online gambling channels.

In this environment, even platforms that are not widely known internationally — like Showbahis — can accumulate substantial user traffic and financial volume. The 2.08 billion lira detected in this investigation does not represent profit, but rather the transaction flow, showing how illegal networks distribute money across many small accounts to avoid detection.

What Comes Next in the Investigation?

Prosecutors say the operation is ongoing, with digital evidence still being examined to uncover additional financial trails and potential accomplices. The case is expected to widen as new connections are identified through seized communication records and transaction logs.

While the Showbahis platform has now been targeted, authorities note that illegal betting networks in Turkey often reappear quickly under new domains or brand names. For this reason, the operation is viewed not only as a takedown of one network, but as part of a broader effort to confront Turkey’s rapidly expanding illegal online gambling economy.

Showbahis Issues Statement Following Illegal Betting Operation

Following the large-scale investigation and nationwide coverage, Showbahis released a public statement addressing the reports. The company asserted that it operates legally outside Turkey’s jurisdiction and that the allegations do not affect its international betting services.

“Following yesterday’s news coverage in Turkish print and visual media regarding Showbahis, a clarification has become necessary.

Showbahis operates entirely outside the borders of Turkey as a licensed and legal company, and continues its activities without disruption.

Users within Turkey participate in games of their own free will.

This situation does not affect Showbahis’ international online betting operations.”