Turkish banks have begun issuing direct legal warnings to customers as part of a sweeping government crackdown on illegal online gambling.
The initiative, coordinated by Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, is part of the ruling party’s “Action Plan” to fulfill President Erdoğan’s pledge of “eradicating illicit gambling” by the 2026 general election.
New Enforcement Powers
The warnings follow the approval of the 11th Judicial Package on December 15, which significantly expands prosecutorial powers. Under the new laws, financial institutions are mandated to share transaction data within 10 days of a request or face criminal sanctions. Prosecutors have also been granted the authority to seize assets and suspend accounts suspected of facilitating illegal betting.
“Illegal betting and online gambling are not only crimes, but also channels that finance organised crime and cause serious social harm,” Minister Tunç stated. He emphasized that the strategy is to “identify illegal activity at its source, follow the money and intervene before criminal proceeds are concealed or transferred abroad.”
MASAK Leads the Charge
The enforcement is being led by MASAK, Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board. Scrutiny has intensified on payment intermediaries and digital wallets, with major banks like Ziraat Bankası and Garanti BBVA already issuing customer warnings. The crackdown has also targeted media organizations, with executives at GAİN Medya arrested for allegedly promoting illegal operators.
Authorities have warned that enforcement intensity will escalate further in 2026, with a focus on cross-border cooperation to target offshore hubs.
