Betting operations in Ankara, Istanbul, and Edirne: 150 detained, receiverships imposed on 23 companies

According to information disclosed by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, operations conducted under three separate investigations led by the chief prosecutors' offices of Ankara, Istanbul, and Edirne resulted in 150 people being detained; efforts are ongoing to apprehend 41 suspects. It was announced that proceedings have been initiated against a total of 191 people.

The illegal gambling investigation led by Ankara's Chief Prosecutor's Office covered 79 suspects and 23 companies across 18 provinces centered in Ankara. According to a report by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), the volume of suspicious transactions was determined to be 21 billion 319 million TL. In the operation, 55 suspects were detained while receiverships were imposed on 23 companies; efforts continue to apprehend 24 suspects. The investigation encompasses organizations providing software and call center services to illegal gambling activities as well as the transfer of criminal proceeds through companies and cryptocurrency assets.

In the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office investigation, it was determined that individuals recruited online were directed toward criminal acts through messaging groups. In operations conducted across 30 provinces centered in Istanbul, 100 people were targeted; 87 people, including 31 children, were detained.

In the Edirne Chief Prosecutor's Office investigation, a transaction volume of a total of 1 billion TL was detected in the bank accounts of 12 suspects over the past month. In operations conducted across 5 provinces centered in Edirne, 8 people were detained.

The total volume of suspicious transactions examined across the Ankara, Istanbul, and Edirne investigations was announced as 23 billion 319 million TL.