17 celebrities have been arrested in Turkey and warrants issued for four more on charges of promoting illegal gambling. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Celebrities arrested

Turkish police have detained 17 individuals and issued warrants for four more on suspicion of promoting illegal gambling.

those mentioned include social media influencers, actors, soccer players, and other noted celebrities

The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued detention orders for all of the individuals named. Those mentioned include social media influencers, actors, soccer players, and other noted celebrities who have been accused of using social media to advertising gambling platforms which are illegal in Turkey.

Police are continuing with efforts to detain the remaining four suspects, although the issue is likely to be complicated by the fact that some of them are abroad.

Among the names detained were singer Serdar Ortaç, television host and actor Mehmet Ali Erbil, former footballer Batuhan Karadeniz, and social media influencers Muzaffer Zorbey Erkoçlar, Sefa Caner Sarıçam and İbrahim Yılmaz. 

Suspects deny responsibility

The individuals have been released on house arrest, with several releasing statements denying their culpability. Speaking to reporters outside court, Ortaç stated that he was unaware that an invitation to Malta was linked to illegal gambling.

“They invited me for a restaurant opening. They set me up and recorded the video on a cell phone. They even asked me for a score prediction, but I don’t even follow sports that way. I am deeply sorry and regretful.”

I have no financial or moral need for such activities.”

Erbil, who also attended the event in Malta, also denied any responsibility, saying: “If I were involved in promotion, I could have named the companies openly. I have no financial or moral need for such activities.”

Turkish crackdown

Turkey has notoriously strict gambling laws. Most forms of gambling are illegal, with casinos having been outlawed and betting restricted to a few outlets such as lotteries. All online gambling is prohibited, with the exception of the state-owned IDDAA, which operates a monopoly in the country.

Unlike most other countries, Turkish authorities also prosecute individual gamblers on illegal betting sites, in addition to the operators themselves. This spate of arrests is one of the largest in targeting individuals solely for promoting gambling.

teams found to be in breach of the advertising laws will not only face fines, but even points deductions

Elsewhere, Turkish soccer clubs have also faced the prospect of severe punishment for breaching the country’s gambling laws. Teams found to be in breach of the advertising laws will not only face fines, but even points deductions for repeat offenders.

Earlier this year, the issue came to a head when giant Galatasaray was forced to suspend a $14m shirt sponsorship after its fierce rival Fenerbahçe filed complaints against it ahead of a derby match.

Despite the recent crackdown, however, illegal gambling continues to flourish in Turkey. The unregulated betting market in the country is estimated to be worth a staggering 100 billion lira ($2.9bn).