Turkish authorities recently intensified their crackdown on illegal betting operations. Prominent figures from the entertainment and social media industries are high-profile targets, as gambling in Turkey is rigorously regulated.

Recent arrests of the actor Atakan Yilmaz and influencer Kerimcan Durmaz gained notable attention. Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office prohibits them from promoting illegal betting.

The investigation is part of a broader effort to tackle illicit gambling. Moreover, it marks another chapter in Turkey’s attempts to gain the upper hand against illegal betting activities, which have spiralled in recent years.

High-profile arrest’s spark public debate

Atakan Yilmaz is a well-known actor in Turkish television and cinema. He is accused of embedding illegal betting advertisements in his videos and social media posts.

Kerimcan Durmaz, a social media influencer with over 3.8 million Instagram followers, faces charges for promoting betting ads during a live performance in Malta. Reports suggest Durmaz performed as a DJ at a concert organised to advertise an illegal betting site. During the set, a massive screen behind him displayed advertisements for the betting sites. Furthermore, reports from Haberler.com suggest Durmaz was heard saying, “They were saying something was coming here. What happened? What about the casinos?“

Following evidence of this footage, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched its investigation into Durmaz’s involvement. They said, “Actions related to illegal betting activities have been determined to cause significant financial losses to the country’s economy and have caused considerable damage to the social order.”

This action against Yilmaz and Durmaz follows a series of similar arrests in 2024. Singer Serdar Ortaç and TV host Mehmet Ali Erbil found themselves detained alongside several influencers and former footballer Batuhan Karadeniz. Ortaç and Erbil were placed under house arrest whilst Karadeniz fled abroad, reportedly to Georgia. Turkish authorities subsequently requested an Interpol red notice.

Illegal betting is a growing problem

Illegal betting is an increasingly concerning issue in Turkey despite strict regulations. Despite a 1998 casino ban and restrictions on non-state online gambling since 2006, illicit gambling thrives.

Turkey is facing increasing concern over the rise of youth gambling, particularly through online platforms. Of particular concern is the growing participation of minors, including children as young as nine, who are accessing online gambling sites, partly because of inadequate age verification systems and the use of cryptocurrencies for transactions. Organised crime syndicates also exploit the appeal of online platforms, with promotions targeting millions of social media users, especially the youth. In 2024, neighbouring Bulgaria’s regulator blocked over 2,500 websites involved in unauthorised gambling activities.

Some reports estimate that illegal betting schemes have affected over 10 million Turks. Inevitably, this leads to financial losses for the individual and the economy. According to the Financial Crimes Investigation Board, Turkey’s illicit market betting alone is said to exceed 100 billion lira (£2.9 billion/US$3.6 billion/€3.3 billion). On a global level, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates the value of illegal gambling at an eye-watering USD 1.8 trillion (£1.476 trillion/€1.656 trillion).

Celebrities want out of here

It’s no accident that the involvement of high-profile figures has added a new realm to this crackdown. Mehmet Ali Erbil and Serdar Ortaç claim that others misled them into attending events later linked to illegal betting promotions, and they deny direct involvement. Ortaç publicly apologised, saying, “The allegations aren’t true! But I’ve been a bad example to society. I am very sorry.“

Meanwhile, social media influencers, including İbrahim Yılmaz, Muzaffer Zorbey Erkoçlar, and Aleksander Menshikov, stand accused of leveraging their enormous followings to promote betting platforms. For good measure, other influencers have faced restrictions placed on their accounts as investigations continue.

Regulatory efforts intensify

Turkish authorities have already introduced tough measures in their attempts to curb illegal betting activities. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) recently passed regulations penalising clubs for involvement in betting advertisements. Penalties include fines and points deductions. As football is one of Turkey’s most popular sports, these measures hope to put the brakes on illegal gambling’s influence on the sport. In September 2024, Turkey announced a new initiative to tackle addiction to gambling, the internet, smartphones and video games.

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç emphasised the judicial nature of the investigations, yet public opinion remains divided. Critics argue that these high-profile crackdowns only target the headlines, leaving the systematic issue of illegal gambling to flourish underground, away from the bright lights of actors and influencers.

Who’s next for the crosshairs?

This crackdown shows the world that Turkey is determined to address illegal gambling and the societal, mental, physical and economic harm it causes. Therefore, Turkish authorities hope targeting influential figures will deter others from promoting or participating in these prohibited activities. As a subplot, this also raises issues about the responsibilities of celebrities and influencers. They must ensure their platforms are clean and not exploited.

An absorbing period lies ahead while these investigations develop. Turkey’s biggest challenge is regulating the online space, as illegal betting platforms still operate with alarming reach. With the arrests of Yılmaz and Durmaz, there is a simple message from the government: no one is above the law in the .

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