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Turkey Gambling Sites and Laws

Betting in Turkey was once a major industry that netted millions of dollars for the government and provided thousands of jobs. Then, over the span of a few years starting in 1997, the Turkish government reversed its stance and essentially put an end to betting in Turkey, due to changes in Turkey gambling sites law and regulations. 

Dozens of casinos were forced to close and Turkish gambling laws were tightened and updated to include a ban on the internet betting. Many online betting sites are blocked and banks are directed to block financial transactions. While it is widely believed that this ban was implemented on religious grounds, the government’s official line was that the industry was saturated with crime and money laundering.

Unlike many jurisdictions with similar laws, Turkish authorities are quite aggressive in their fight against illegal betting. The internet cites several examples of operators and players being prosecuted. Many of the world’s biggest bookmakers by country such as Pinnacle, WSBets, and William Hill no longer accept bets from Turkish players. Illegal operators, employees, and players face staggering fines and/or lengthy prison sentences if caught.

Still, it is a known fact that it is a tall order to stop internet betting and there aren’t any reports of recreational players being prosecuted for placing bets with foreign sites. Still, Turkish online gamblers that place bets online are still taking a substantial risk.

Summary of the article

Top 10 Gambling Sites for Turkey in 21 November 2024 – Updated List

Rank
Bookmaker
Bonus
Safe & Trusted
Rating
Get Started
1

Stake Sports

Exclusive 200% up to $2000
Yes
Rating 9.99 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
2

Goldenbet Sports

100% up to 500 €/$/£
Yes
Rating 9.95 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
3

Megapari

Welcome package up to 1500 EUR + 150 FS
Yes
Rating 9.93 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
4

Betandyou

Welcome package 100% up to €1500 + 150 FS
Yes
Rating 9.90 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
5

22Bet Sports

100% bonus up to €300
Yes
Rating 9.80 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
6

1XBet

Up to €1500 + 150 Free Spins
Yes
Rating 9.65 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
7

SpinBetter

Welcome package up to 1500 EUR + 150 FS
Yes
Rating 9.43 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
8

Betwinner

100% up to €1500 + 150 FS
Yes
Rating 9.26 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
9

Vave

100% up to 1BTC
Yes
Rating 9.18 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
10

Casinoly

Welcome Package 100% Up to 500 EUR + 200 FS
Yes
Rating 9.02 out of 10
See moreGet bonus

The Short History of Turkey Online Gambling

Lt’s give you the summary of Turkey gambling sites law and regulations. As of 2022, bets on lottery games, sports bets, and horse racing are legal in Turkey so you can find here some legal betting sites. Land-based and online casinos are not allowed (so there is no Istanbul casino, for example). Until 2017, games of chance were a state monopoly and the only institution authorized to regulate them was the General Directorate of the National Lottery Administration. In 2017, the right to organize games of chance and horse racing bets was transferred to the Turkey Wealth Fund and this fund “leased” this right to the Sisal-Şans Joint Venture Group for 10 years in 2019. Likewise, the right to organize sports bets and the “İddaa” brand (the most famous local operator in Turkey) were transferred by the Spor Toto Organization Presidency to the Şans Joint Venture Group, consisting of Demirören and Scientific Games for 10 years in 2019. Currently, all legal games of chance and sports betting in Turkey are controlled by a single company (Demirören Group).

The thing to note here is that in other countries there are official institutions that issue licenses for the right to offer games of chance and sports betting. In Turkey, something very different happened: a right that belonged to the state was literally transferred to the private sector for 10 years and it was decided that the state could not “issue a separate license” for the duration of the lease. Until 2029, nobody other than the companies we have listed above has the right to offer online betting (live betting included) or games of chance in Turkey, and this includes the government itself. 

At the moment, there are more than a dozen local gambling sites in Turkey, all controlled by the Demirören Group. In other words, the list of Turkey gambling sites is quite short. These local websites offer sports betting and, through a legal loophole, online casino games, up to an extent. However, their service quality is low, odds are awful, and they only support local leagues and events, most of the time. If you want to play at Turkey betting sites and bookmakers without any restrictions, check the list of our recommended operators. You can even find the answer to the “is Betin casino good for Turkey players” question.

Most Popular Sports in Top Turkey Gambling Sites

Not surprisingly, the most popular sport in Turkey is football. Football teams called “Big Three” (Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Besiktas) are the pride of Turks and their representatives abroad. These teams have FIFA and UEFA championships. Basketball comes second in popularity. It is possible to say that volleyball is liked at the same level. You will find the most offers for these sports in the best Turkish gambling sites. All sports other than these are available in Turkey, but they are very limited and they have no followers except a niche group.

Turkey Gambling Sites Law and Reglementations

The Turkish gambling market is strictly regulated. The only legal betting in Turkey consists of horse racing, lottery-style sports betting, and a national lottery.  All of these platforms are quite popular. In other words, only a few forms of betting are legal in Turkey and they are all monopolies. ERG-Ahlatci controls the lottery, IDDAA offers lottery-style sports betting and The Jockey Club of Turkey oversees horse racing. However, as mentioned above, all of these services are offered by a single company at the moment. All other forms of gambling are illegal both on land and online and offenders face stiff penalties. Those wishing to partake in legal gambling must be at least 18 years old, just like how old you have to be to gamble at Hungarian gambling sites.

Many sanctions have been regulated in the Turkish Penal Code for illegal betting, including prison sentences (the Iceland regulation system is taxing gamblers as well). However, none of these sanctions are for those who place bets or play games. There are sanctions for those who offer bets and games. As a bettor, you can play at a betting site abroad and you cannot be penalized for this. However, by law, if you have made a profit, it can be confiscated. In addition, imprisonment from three to five years is foreseen for individuals (i.e. banks) who mediate money transfers to betting sites, including mobile betting sites abroad. For this reason, it is almost impossible to send or receive money to foreign betting sites via the regular banking system (credit cards or bank transfers) in Turkey. Likewise, the government keeps blocking international operators: If you want to access these sites, you have to either follow their ever-changing addresses or use a VPN.

Gambling Laws For The Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is an independent country, but it has close relations with Turkey and its laws are similar in many respects. However, this similarity does not apply to betting laws. Cyprus betting sites and laws are similar to Greece gambling sites and laws in this respect. Land-based casinos and sports betting are legal. Online casinos are also legal, but the local government has not issued new licenses for a long time. In other words, no new site has been opened for years, except for the existing trusted betting sites.

What are the Best Online Gambling Sites and Promotions for Turkey?

It’s true that Turkish online casino fans are not served by many international betting sites but those who are willing to take a chance have many great options. They can also cash in on some valuable bonuses. Argo Casino and WS Bets are among the best in the business and they are all offering casino betting bonuses to new Turkish customers.

Turkish online casino fans really enjoy the wide range of gaming options that Betwinner offers and they also love the $100 welcome bonuses that each of them is giving away. Countless online gamblers in Turkey have cashed in on the €100 worth of casino betting bonuses from 22Bet, 20Bet, and Powbet, while the welcome bonuses of €100 from Campeonbet have also drawn their share of attention.

These awesome bonuses aren’t limited to online casinos. There are plenty of other bonuses such as the €300 bonus package from Mostbet and the €100 bonus from Fezbet. There are slot bonuses, bingo bonuses, and horse racing bonuses. There are bonuses for every type of Turkish online gambler and they are found in the promotions section at Gamblingjudge.com. They are easy to claim and fun to use. Get yours today.

Finding the Best Turkish Gambling Sites

First, take a look at our bookmakers by country and bookmakers by currencies lists and find an operator that suits you both in terms of location and currency. Consider the following aspects when evaluating this operator:

  • The operator must be licensed by a reputable agency such as MGA and UKGC.
  • The website must support Turkish and the Turkish Lira(TYR) must be one of the available currencies.
  • Since financial transfers will pose a problem as we will talk about below, alternative payment options from bookmakers by payment methods should be available other than a bank transfer and credit cards.
  • Local Turkish leagues and championships (e.g. Super League) should be supported.
How Safe Are Gambling Sites In Turkey?
The subject of online security has international standards and does not change according to countries. For a site to be considered reliable, it must be licensed from a reputable agency, meet PCI-DSS standards, and protect all its pages with SSL. It is possible to say that all sites (including Turkey gambling sites) that meet these criteria are safe and secure.

Best Games to Play Gambling Sites in Turkey

Local operators in Turkey have a very limited range of games, as online casinos are prohibited. For example, popular game types such as poker, blackjack, and slots are not available. However, it is still possible to find these games on betting sites and sports betting exchanges in Turkey:

  • Bingo: This game is often referred to as “tombala” and in terms of gameplay resembles a keno/bingo hybrid.
  • Backgammon: It is one of the most popular table games in Turkey and its online versions are available on every site.
  • Lottery: All of the betting sites in Turkey sell tickets for all the lotteries held in Turkey.
  • Scratch Cards: They are offered as an alternative to slot games and can be found on almost every local site. 

Payment Methods to Use in Online Gambling Sites for Turkey

Let’s talk about the gambling tax issue first. This is regulated by Law No. 5602. Under this law, there is no tax you have to pay if you make a profit. This is because the tax is already withheld at source. According to this law:

  • Persons liable to pay tax are the institutions that have been given the right and authority to organize games of chance.
  • The rate of tax is 5% for sports bets, 7% for horse races, and 10% for other games of chance.

The official currency of Turkey is the lira and it is accepted throughout the country. Due to the current banking laws, Turkish players that wish to make a deposit or withdrawal using credit/debit cards or bank transfers might find their transactions declined.

EWallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and WebMoney are recommended as they provide a degree of anonymity and they are widely accepted at most international online gaming sites. We also recommend using prepaid cards and crypto betting as payment methods. Turkish online bettors are advised to check with their preferred gaming site to find out what their best payment options are. This information is also found in the reviews at Gamblingjudge.com along with loads of valuable and easy to claim bonuses.

USING A MOBILE APP FOR ONLINE GAMBLING SITES IN TURKEY
Some of the gambling sites in Turkey offer mobile apps too, but just like the websites, their content is quite limited. So, mobile betting is possible in Turkey, as long as you use the apps of local operators, but the content you get will be extremely limited. You cannot use the mobile apps of international operators unless you are using Android and download them manually.

Pros & Cons of Gambling Turkey

PROS

  • There are nearly a dozen local operators
  • Mobile betting is possible
  • Local services are offered by the famous Scientific Games group

CONS

  • There is a monopoly
  • Some bet and game types are not allowed

FAQ About Turkish Bookmakers & Turkey Gambling Sites and Law

Yes. The answer to the “is gambling legal in Turkey” question is also yes. However, there is a strict monopoly and the type of the games that can be offered legally is very limited. For example, slots are not allowed.

Yes, but the state transferred this monopoly to a company named Sisal-Şans Joint Venture Group. Up until 2029, they are the only operator that can offer sports bets & Turkey games online.

Turkish Lira, the local currency, is the only one supported in gambling sites in Turkey (or local bet Turkish casino sites). Our list, however, contains top casino Turkish sites (and bookmakers) that support other currencies too.

Turkish is the only language supported in local operators. If you want to use other languages, check our lit of the best Turkish casino sites & bookmakers: They support dozens of languages.

You cannot use cryptocurrencies in online casino Turkish and other gambling sites in Turkey. Local operators only support Turkish Lira. If you want to use other currencies, pick one of our recommended sites.

Yes. Almost all of the gambling sites in Turkey (and the ones we recommend) support live betting and they also offer live streams too. However, local operators only stream local matches and events.

We Picked the Best Turkish Gambling Sites for You

And you can start playing at them right away. You learned everything about Turkish gambling sites and law, after all. Pick an online casino in Turkey or a bookmaker to place a bet on Turkish horse racing. It is up to you. Try bookmakers and betting sites we picked for you. No matter which one you choose, you can be sure to play at the best Turkish gambling sites. As always, we wish you good luck!

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