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Turkish authorities froze 6,314 bank accounts linked to suspected illegal betting activity during the FIFA World Cup final as part of a coordinated crackdown on online gambling and associated financial crime.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said the accounts had been identified ahead of the match, with simultaneous orders sent to banks to freeze them as the final began.
The operation was coordinated by the Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in cooperation with cybercrime units from the Istanbul Provincial Police Department.
Gürlek said the operation formed part of Türkiye’s wider campaign against illegal betting, online gambling and criminal proceeds.
“Within the scope of the operation, 6,314 bank accounts used in illegal betting transactions were identified,” he said. “As the final match began, simultaneous orders were sent to banks to immediately freeze these accounts.”
Authorities also identified 19 offshore financial entities believed to be connected to illegal betting websites and launched judicial proceedings against 23 suspects.
The operation follows Türkiye’s Action Plan for Combating Illegal Betting, Games of Chance and Gambling in the Digital Environment, introduced through a presidential circular in November 2025.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office subsequently established the Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Investigation Bureau in June 2026 to strengthen investigations into illegal betting and sports-related financial crime.
According to judicial sources, authorities increased surveillance and investigative activity ahead of the World Cup final after identifying the match as the tournament event most likely to generate the highest volume of illegal betting.
Officials said technical surveillance and field investigations were used to identify financial networks suspected of facilitating illegal wagering, with the operation intended to prevent financial losses and protect public order.
