Gambling in Turkey has a complex legal status, and local players face numerous restrictions. Despite strict government control, online casinos remain popular among Turkish users, who find ways to access international platforms.
On this page, we will explore the legal regulation of online casinos in Turkey, key dates in the history of gambling, the features of popular casino games among Turkish players, and the best payment methods that allow for secure deposits and withdrawals. If you want to learn how to play at online casinos in Turkey while maintaining privacy and safety, read on.
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Regulation of Gambling in Turkey
Gambling in Turkey is under strict state control and, in most cases, is outright banned. Legislation prohibits private casinos, and participation in illegal gambling can lead to serious consequences. However, despite these stringent measures, gambling remains popular among Turkish players, who seek alternative ways to access international platforms.
Land-Based Casinos
In the past, Turkey had legal land-based casinos, but in 1998, the government completely banned their operation. This was due to concerns about organized crime and money laundering. Today, the only legal forms of offline gambling are state-run lotteries and sports betting, which are controlled by government agencies.
Online Casinos
As for online casinos, the situation is equally strict. In Turkey, all forms of private online casinos are prohibited, and the only permitted platform is IDDAA, a state-run sports betting operator. Law 7258 on bookmaking and gambling prohibits both local and foreign companies from offering gambling services to Turkish citizens.
Nevertheless, many players bypass these restrictions by using VPNs and international payment systems to access popular foreign online casinos. Despite the bans, authorities primarily target illegal operators rather than individual players.
Thus, gambling in Turkey remains heavily regulated, but experienced users find ways to participate in international online casinos by using anonymous payment methods and technological solutions to circumvent restrictions.
Features of Gambling
Gambling in Turkey is governed by some of the strictest laws in the world. Private casinos are entirely banned, and online gambling is tightly controlled by the state. Only two sports betting platforms—IDDAA and Spor Toto—and the National Lottery (Milli Piyango) are licensed to operate. All other forms of gambling, including poker, slots, and roulette, are illegal.
Authorities actively block international casinos, forcing players to use VPNs and alternative payment methods to bypass restrictions. If a Turkish citizen is caught playing on an illegal platform, they face fines ranging from 500 to 5,000 lira, while operators of such casinos can be fined up to 100,000 lira. Additionally, gambling advertisements are prohibited, and banks cannot process transactions related to casinos, prompting players to turn to cryptocurrencies, e-wallets, and P2P payments.
Despite the bans, Turkish players continue to participate in international online casinos, where there are no betting limits, mandatory breaks, or reality checks, as seen in Germany. However, the risk of account suspension or confiscation of winnings remains high, as authorities continue to tighten control over illegal gambling activities.
Key Dates
- 1984 – The National Lottery (Milli Piyango) was established, becoming the only officially permitted form of gambling in Turkey.
- 1996 – The government banned all private casinos due to concerns about money laundering and crime.
- 1998 – A complete ban on land-based casinos was enacted, leading to the closure of hundreds of establishments.
- 2006 – Law No. 7258 was passed, regulating sports betting. The state-run platform IDDAA was created, granting it a monopoly on bookmaking activities.
- 2007 – Law No. 5651 was enacted, prohibiting private online casinos and introducing blocks on foreign gambling sites.
- 2013 – Authorities intensified efforts to combat illegal online casinos, actively blocking foreign gambling websites.
- 2019 – Oversight of the gambling industry was transferred to Turkey’s Ministry of Finance and Treasury, leading to increased fines for illegal operators and players.
- 2020 – Turkish authorities imposed strict penalties for participation in illegal gambling. Fines for players were raised to 5,000 lira, while operators faced fines of up to 100,000 lira.
- 2023 – Measures against illegal payments were strengthened: banks began blocking accounts linked to online casino activities, forcing users to switch to cryptocurrencies and P2P transfers.
Best Payment Methods for Casinos in Turkey
Due to the strict ban on gambling in Turkey, banks block transactions related to online casinos, prompting players to use alternative payment methods that ensure anonymity and bypass restrictions. The most popular options include cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT), which allow for payments through wallets and P2P platforms.
In addition to cryptocurrencies, e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, and Jeton Wallet are widely used, as they support international transfers. Prepaid cards such as AstroPay, Paykasa, and Paykwik are also popular, enabling deposits without the use of bank cards.
Another way to bypass restrictions is through P2P transactions on crypto exchanges like Binance P2P, KuCoin, and OKX, which allow for secure fund transfers. Some players use local payment services such as Papara, Express Havale, and Fixturka, though their capabilities are limited.
| Casino | First Deposit Bonus | Minimum Deposit |
| Starda | 100% up to 9000 TRY | From 300 TRY |
| Vavada | 100% up to 30 000 TRY | From 50 TRY |
| Sol | 100% up to 9000 TRY | From 300 TRY |
Thus, Turkish users opt for payment methods that are independent of local banks and ensure privacy, allowing them to freely play at international online casinos.
Online Casinos in Turkey FAQ
No, online casinos are prohibited in Turkey. The only legal forms of gambling are the state lottery (Milli Piyango) and sports betting through official platforms (IDDAA and Spor Toto). All private casinos, including online versions, are blocked, and participation in illegal gambling can result in fines.
Many players use VPNs to hide their location and access international sites. For deposits, they rely on cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether), e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz), prepaid cards (AstroPay, Paykasa, Paykwik), and P2P transactions through Binance P2P and other crypto exchanges.
If a casino site is inaccessible, players can try changing their DNS, using a VPN, or browsers with built-in bypass tools (e.g., Tor). They can also contact the casino’s support team to inquire about possible mirrors or alternative access methods.
Playing at international casinos carries risks, as Turkish authorities actively combat illegal gambling. While players are rarely prosecuted, account suspensions, fines, or loss of winnings are possible. To enhance safety, it is recommended to use anonymous payment methods and reliable VPN services.