Serdar Ortaç, on trial for illegal betting advertisement, reveals his monthly income in court

The trial of singer Serdar Ortaç, who is alleged to have encouraged people to participate in illegal betting by advertising it, has begun. The defendant, who is being tried without arrest, and his lawyer were present at the hearing held at the Istanbul 25th Criminal Court of First Instance.

A lawyer representing the Spor Toto Organization Presidency also attended the hearing. Meanwhile, Mehmet Ali Erbil was present outside the courtroom in case he was called to testify as a witness.

SERDAR ORTAÇ REVEALS HIS MONTHLY INCOME

Following the identity verification process at the hearing, Serdar Ortaç disclosed his monthly income.

SERDAR ORTAÇ'S DEFENSE

Stating that his monthly income is 500,000 TL, Ortaç said the following in his defense:

“I received an offer for an opening event in Malta and I accepted. When I arrived at the airport, I was met by two people I had not met before. They started an interview in Malta and began a broadcast from a personal phone. The video they shot was published on their own sites without my permission. I didn't notice it at first, but later I realized that the t-shirts worn by Ünal and Cenk had the name of a gambling site on them that I am familiar with seeing on television in Turkey.

They insistently told me that gambling is legal in Malta and that I should wear one too, but I said I would never wear it and wanted to get away. I regretted going to Malta very much, but there was nothing I could do. I did not encourage anyone; they published the video they shot themselves on their own sites without my knowledge or control. I had no intent to commit a crime.”

The lawyer for the Spor Toto Organization Presidency stated that the defendant's defense was an attempt to evade the charges, that the defendant knowingly and willingly took part in the video in question, and that they are complainants.

DEMAND FOR UP TO 3 YEARS IN PRISON

Presenting his opinion on the merits at the hearing, the Public Prosecutor requested that defendant Serdar Ortaç be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison for the crime of 'encouraging individuals to play fixed-odds or mutual betting or games of chance based on sports competitions through advertising or other means.' He also requested that the judicial control measures for Ortaç remain in effect.

The lawyers for the parties requested time from the court to prepare their defense and statements against the announced opinion.

ORTAÇ’S JUDICIAL CONTROL MEASURE LIFTED

Announcing its interim decision, the court decided to lift the judicial control measure of a travel ban for defendant Serdar Ortaç. The court, which also ruled to grant time to the lawyers of the parties to present their defense and statements against the opinion, adjourned the hearing.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation into several social media influencers and famous names, including Serdar Ortaç and Mehmet Ali Erbil, on allegations that they advertised illegal betting and encouraged people to participate.

Within the scope of the investigation, the duty judge decided on November 11, 2024, to impose a judicial control measure in the form of 'house arrest' for Serdar Ortaç, and on November 26, 2024, it was ruled that this measure against Ortaç be lifted.

In the indictment prepared on the subject, it was requested that Serdar Ortaç be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison for the crime of 'encouraging individuals to play fixed-odds or mutual betting or games of chance based on sports competitions through advertising or other means.'