Turkey blocked over 84,000 illegal gambling websites in 2025
Investigators found that many of the blocked platforms operated through foreign-based servers and domain providers.
Turkey.- More than 84,000 illegal gambling and betting websites were blocked by Turkish authorities in 2025. That’s according to figures released by the National Lottery Administration (MPI) through state-run Anadolu Agency.
The MPI, operating under Turkey’s Treasury and Finance Ministry, flagged 84,585 websites for shutdown as part of a digital enforcement drive targeting unlicensed operators and their support networks. The enforcement campaign also targeted social media accounts, streaming platforms, mobile applications and overseas gaming-content providers linked to illegal betting operators.
In May 2025, authorities began targeting international gaming and software providers supplying services to illegal betting platforms. During the year, regulators blocked 14,263 gaming and content providers believed to be connected to unauthorised operators. In addition, authorities identified 26 mobile applications containing illegal gambling content and blocked access to 1,902 streaming websites accused of advertising or redirecting users to illegal betting services.
The MPI also sought restrictions against 3,021 social media accounts promoting illegal gambling services, resulting in court-approved blocks on 2,105 accounts. An additional 261 social media accounts were reported to the Trade Ministry’s Advertising Board for promoting unlawful gambling activities.
Officials said 51 per cent of the websites traced in recent investigations were linked to the United States, while Armenia and the Isle of Man each accounted for 7 per cent. Colombia represented another 5 per cent. The government reported 517 overseas-based gambling and betting websites, along with 109 gaming-content platforms, to the Foreign Ministry and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) for cross-border enforcement action.
Alongside digital restrictions, Turkish authorities said criminal complaints continue to be filed against operators of illegal gambling websites, mobile applications, social media accounts and payment networks linked to online betting.
