Operation against 1.6 billion TL illegal betting gang

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek made a statement regarding the operation conducted with its center in İzmir, which covered 8 provinces. In a post on the social media platform X, Gürlek provided information about the operation targeting virtual gambling and illegal betting activities.

Gürlek used the following expressions in his statement:

"With the operation carried out simultaneously in 8 of our provinces centered in İzmir this morning, a heavy blow has been dealt to a criminal organization that manages a dirty money flow of approximately 1 billion 600 million liras. Our determined struggle will continue in coordination with all units of our state against any illegal structure that disrupts the peace of our society, targets our family structure, and wants to drag our youth into this quagmire. I congratulate our İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which successfully coordinated this major cleanup operation, and the Ministry of Interior officials, especially our heroic police force."

We are not giving way to virtual gambling barons and illegal betting gangs with the strong coordination of our Ministries of Justice and Interior!

With the operation carried out simultaneously in 8 of our provinces centered in İzmir this morning, a dirty money flow of approximately 1 Billion 600 Million TL…

— Akın Gürlek (@abakingurlek) May 5, 2026

In the statement, it was noted that the operation was carried out simultaneously in 8 provinces centered in İzmir and that a criminal organization assessed to be linked to illegal betting was targeted. Gürlek also stated that the fight against virtual betting and gambling activities will continue.

News Source: İHA