Turkey has one of the strictest gambling laws in the world. The state controls gambling entertainment, hosting companies, and players' organizers: responsibility for gambling policy violations provided in five acts. Online casino advertising is prohibited.
There is a state monopoly on allowed online gambling activities: lotteries and totalizators. State company Milli Piyango [1], subordinate to the Ministry of Finance of Turkey, offers residents lotteries.
Recent history of Turkish casinos and gambling Casinos were allowed beginning in 1990 but restrictions were placed on them in July 1996 and then casinos were banned outright in December that year a month after authorizing the state lottery, Milli Piyango. Online Gambling Sites in Turkey - March 2021 Displaying online gambling sites that accept players from Turkey. To change country go to Country selector or to see all sites in our database visit Online. Online Casino Legal Landscape in Turkey. Before you decide to register at an online casino Turkey site you need to know that most forms of gambling in Turkey are illegal.It is a criminal offence to gamble at an online casino. Casinos have been banned since 1998, and non-state online gambling was banned in 2006. This means that you cannot legally play at any online casinos in Turkey. It is one of the strictest and most highly.
The sweepstakes are carried out by the SporToto company, which operates under the Ministry of Sports' auspices. The control of the Jockey Club is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Turkey.
Gambling is a leisure activity that a large chunk of the world population enjoys. This form of entertainment has been around for a long time. The earliest found evidence of gambling dates back to as far as 200 BC.
After the internet was launched, it was only a matter of time before someone thought to transform real-life gambling into a virtual version. Online gambling is an entity that has been growing rapidly ever since the first online casino launched in the mid-1990s.
Turkey’s approach to online gambling, however, is uncompromising. Turkey has completely banned all forms of online gambling. The only exception to this ban is the state-owned sports betting company – IDDAA.
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Gambling in Turkey
Turkey has had a rough relationship with gambling throughout the years. The country that once was home to a thriving casino industry, has now banned all forms of gambling. That is, with the small exception of a few state-controlled enterprises.
In Turkey, betting on horses was legalized originally in 1984. Casinos were legalized in 1990. Somewhere along the road between 1990 and 1996, some of the illegal activities of 2 famous casino owners started coming to light, including many claims of money-laundering. In 1996 one of them was assassinated.
Not long after the assassination of one of the two most renowned casino owners in Turkey, who was widely known as “Casino King”, a law banning all casinos was unexpectedly announced. This was partly because of the accusations of money laundering.
There are other whispers going around that say perhaps the government wanted a tighter fist around the gambling community so as to keep profits to themselves. It would make more sense to allow casinos to operate and regulate them accordingly for state profit. None the less, the law came into force in 1998. Ever since then, gambling in Turkey has been strictly controlled by the state.
Legal Gambling Activities in Turkey
Despite the ban on online gambling that came into force (with limited success) in 2006, there are still options to place bets online, as well as at land-based betting facilities.
- Sports Bets – made through the state-owned IDDAA, people can place bets on various sports online.
- Horse Racing – bets can be made at major horse tracks.
- Milli Piyango – the country’s national lottery. The state lottery turns over $1.5 billion a year.
And that is it for Turkey’s legal gambling options. The Turkish government is firmly against any casino-related gambling.
Online Gambling in Turkey
As we mentioned earlier, online gambling in Turkey is strictly prohibited. That does not mean, however, that Turkish citizens don’t play at online casinos. In fact, in 2009 it was estimated that a quarter of Betsson’s revenues came from Turkish players.
The Turkish government is working harder and harder at trying to banish online gambling from the lands. They have taken a rather controversial approach to the matter. Players caught gambling online illegally can end up with fines in the equivalent range of $50,000-$275,000, some of the worst punishments in the world for illegal gambling.
The Turkish Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency has had a new job added to the list since 2013 – policing of banks and credit card companies that process payments on behalf of players and online casinos. Not only do individuals receive huge fines, but casino agents and complicit bankers could also soon face prison sentences for facilitating the practice.
Some critics go as far as to suggest that the state is prohibiting online casinos so as to privatize the lottery. It being one of the only legal sources of gambling in the country, it does bring quite a bit of cash in with it.
But, thankfully for the brave Turkish people, there are still several online casinos that allow registration from players with Turkish IP addresses. And while sanctions against the national banks might be effective, it sure hasn’t stopped online payment portals like ecoPayz and AstroPay operating freely across Turkey.
Gambling Legislation in Turkey
In Turkish law, gambling and games of chance are divided into two categories:
- Gambling – the criminal code defines the term gambling as games played for gain where profit or loss depends on chance.
- Games of Chance – the Regulation on Licensing and Supervising Games of Chance defines games of chance as games played for a cash prize. The law defines 3 categories of games of chance – Lottery, Numeric Games, and Instant-win Games (scratch cards).
The only other 2 legal forms of betting are sports betting and horse race betting. There are 2 regulated games, lotteries and raffles, that are allowed to be played for non-cash prizes. Charity fund-raising raffles are also permitted, as are promotional raffles.
Online gambling has no stand-alone definition in the laws on gambling. There is also no stand-alone definition for land-based gambling. Gambling as a whole is prohibited, whether it be land-based or online.
Regulatory and Governmental Bodies that Supervise Games of Chance
The Turkey Wealth Fund has been issued licenses to operate games of chance and horse race betting by the Council of Ministers at the beginning of 2017. These licenses have been issued with a period of 49 years.
- Lotteries, games of chance, and social games are regulated by the Ministry of Finance and the National Lottery Administration.
- Horse race betting is regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Turkish Jockey Club.
- Sports betting is regulated by the Ministry of Sports and the Sport Toto Association.
Turkish-Friendly Payment Methods
As we mentioned above, the Turkish state has strict supervision over banks and payments made to accounts. Not only can a person found dabbling in illegal gambling activities receive hefty fines, but the banker found facilitating the practice could even be imprisoned.
But, thankfully, the internet has our back. Courtesy of the progress in online payment methods, Turkish players have multiple safe options to fall back on. Virtual casinos generally support a wide variety of payment methods that have proven as reliable as they are fast. Here is a list of the payment methods available to Turkish players:
ecoPayz
Courtesy of e-wallets, players from all over the world can manage their funds using reliable services. ЕcoPayz is a fast service that clears withdrawals within 24 hours, while deposits are instant.
WebMoney
WebMoney is a great e-wallet for Turkish players to manage their funds. Its site is available in Turkish and you can manage your e-wallet using EUR.
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Jeton
Jeton is another Turkish friendly e-wallet option. Their site is also available in Turkish. And you can bank using Turkish Lira with this one.
AstroPay
AstroPay is the next in line for Turkey pleasers. They also provide their site in Turkish and accept TRY currency.
CASHlib
Players can buy CASHlib prepaid vouchers in an array of currencies, including cryptocurrencies. Like the other prepaid option, this one is used with a 16 digit PIN. Again, players can only deposit using this method.
Bonuses and Promotions for Turkish Players
Despite online gambling being heavily restricted, many online casinos offer their gambling services to Turkish players. This means that players from Turkey are in for a treat. Many online casinos are willing to provide them with chances their government refuses to. So, without further ado, here is a list of the types of bonuses and promotions that Turkish gamblers can expect.
Welcome Bonuses
The majority of online casinos offer welcome bonuses to their players. Because of this, they have become highly competitive. The bigger casinos offer the larger welcome bonuses to their new players. Welcome bonuses are awarded to new players that have signed up and made their first deposit. Welcome bonuses generally vary between a 50%-200% match to your first deposit. Some casinos throw in free spins to play on specific games. It is worth mentioning that wagering requirements are mandatory before withdrawing any winnings.
No-Deposit Bonus
Some casinos offer players free spins or a small amount of cash to play with when you first sign up. The winnings on these kinds of deposits are usually capped and require a deposit before you can request a withdrawal. These types of bonuses are usually only for playing a small amount of games. They also tend to have wagering requirements before players are allowed to withdraw winnings from the bonus.
Free Spins
Online casinos occasionally provide free spins for gamblers to enjoy. They are usually restricted to certain slots and have a maximum value cap on them. Sometimes they also have capped winnings.
Deposit Bonus
This one is similar to the welcome bonus, only that virtual casinos offer them periodically, sometimes as monthly/weekly bonus offers. As the name implies, you deposit into your gambling funds and the casino will match your deposit by a certain percentage. They generally have wagering requirements to go with the bonus before you can withdraw any winnings.
Cashback
This is a generous one. Some sympathetic casinos understand that it can be rather depressing when you make a deposit and lose everything. That is why some of them offer a certain percentage cashback return of your deposit if you happen to lose all of your deposit. Then you are free to have another few rounds on your favorite games. A key trait of these types of bonuses is that they have no wagering requirements.
Comp Points
Comp (complimentary) points are usually awarded for wagers on games. Once you have gathered comp points, they can be converted to cash. Comp points win you extra play-time and bigger chances of winning at online casino games. The terms and conditions on these kinds of bonuses vary from casino to casino, so be sure to read them extensively.
Loyalty Scheme
These kinds of programs generally consist of tiers. The higher you climb the VIP ladder, the bigger the indulgences. The VIP program rewards loyal players. VIP players usually get rewarded with certain cashback offers, free spins, special bonuses, and some even get a VIP support team to manage their accounts.
Bonus Wheel
This is another fun one to look out for. Bonus wheels are generally daily/weekly offers. They are usually built up from different types of bonuses that are listed above. The most common ones are deposit bonuses, cashback offers, free spins, or even a combination of few.
Bonus Terms and Conditions
1Overview
Bonus offers and promotions can be fruitful and enjoyable. Some online casinos are sneaky, however, and offer bountiful promotions with unrealistic terms and conditions. That is why we always urge people to read the bonus terms and conditions extensively before claiming any offers. Here we have put together a list of the key terms that the majority of casinos have.
2Minimum Deposit
Online casinos usually require a minimum deposit to be made to your funds before being able to redeem a promotional offer. Sometimes the minimum deposit required to qualify for a bonus is higher than the standard minimum deposit of the casino.
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3Maximum Bet Amount
When using bonus funds to play games, some casinos cap the maximum bet amount allowed, meaning that you are not allowed to bet over a certain amount using your bonus funds. This is to restrict what casinos call bonus abuse. If you go over the maximum bet amount, the casino may void the bonus and all the winnings accumulated from it.
4Wagering Requirements
This is a common one for promotional offers. Casinos require you to bet your bonus, and sometimes your bonus amount as well as your original deposit, a certain number of times before allowing you to withdraw any of your winnings. If players try to request a withdrawal before meeting the wagering requirements, they could end up losing all of their winnings as well as the bonus.
5Game Weighting
Not all games at the casino contribute to your wagering requirements 100%. Usually, slot games contribute the most. Table games such as roulette and blackjack generally contribute less. In a word, game weighting is the percentage of your bet that will contribute towards the wagering requirement. All casinos provide a table or a list of games that show the game weighting percentage.
6Validity Period
Once you have claimed a promotional offer, you will only have access to your bonus funds for a certain amount of time. Depending on the bonus and the wagering requirements, the offer can be valid from anywhere between 24 hours and a month. This is the period of time you will have to meet the wagering requirements, so it is good to sit down and calculate whether or not you will have enough time to meet the playthrough in the time given to do so.
Popular Software Providers
Online casinos can be tricky to navigate. Especially when you want to find a trustworthy casino with quality games. One of the biggest factors when deciding which online casino to play at are the software providers.
Most operators never power their own games. Rather, they collaborate with software providers to bring life to their casino gaming library. This way, players can be sure that the casino operators have nothing to do with the outcome of the games.
That is why it is good for players to be informed about the software providers available. Knowledge is power and all. So, here are a few of the more popular software providers that power some of the casinos available to players with Turkish IP addresses.
NetEnt
NetEnt, one of the most reputable software companies around. They have been providing software for online casino games since 1996. Since then, they have been building their reputation, and now there is practically no one who enjoys online gambling that hasn’t heard of them. NetEnt boasts a game portfolio that is bursting at the seams with slots, table games, special games, and live games. They currently hold licenses from 9 different jurisdictions. A few of them are UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), and the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (GGC).
Evolution Gaming
This Maltese provider is another bright star in the software department. These guys have been around since 2006 and have not stopped working tirelessly to bring quality games to casino enthusiasts. The major thing that brings so much popularity to this software supplier is its outstanding live casino software. Evolution streams live games from professional studios in Riga, Malta, Vancouver, and Stockholm. This provider also thinks about players that opt to use mobile devices, making the larger part of its games compatible with the smaller screens. Evolution Gaming is fully-licensed by Malta Gaming Authority and holds multiple licenses from other issuers.
Betsoft
Another great developer, this one has been around since 2006. Betsoft covers all the major game genres and prides itself with a large inventory of cinematic 3D games. They work hard at making sure their game library is available to mobile users too. BetSoft provides games for over 500 online casinos throughout Europe and both Americas. They hold licenses from Malta, Curacao, and Romania.
Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil is a relative newcomer on the software supplier block, having been established in 2013. Despite its recent arrival to the industry, Yggdrasil has been climbing the ladder at a surprisingly fast pace. It is now recognized as one of the industry’s most respected and acclaimed suppliers. While not being able to boast the largest of game portfolios, the one thing they can show off is unprecedented quality. This provider is licensed and regulated by MGA and holds licenses issued by various other jurisdictions. They have also won a few awards in recent years. Some of which are Innovator of the Year, Innovation in RNG Casino Software, and more.
Microgaming
Microgaming is the oldest player in the industry out there and claim to have developed the first ever true online casino software in 1994. They also created the first ever mobile casino software in 2004. Microgaming can also boast the biggest progressive jackpot in the world, having paid out over $1.2 billion to date. Microgaming are the providers of some of the most popular games available at online casinos. They hold licences from MGA and UKGC – esteemed license issuers with extremely high standards for the casinos they provide licenses for.
Top Online Casinos for Players in Turkey
Choosing an online casino to play at can be time-consuming and challenging. Gambling enthusiasts should always check the reputation and licensing at online casinos before even considering playing at one. Other than that, reading other players’ reviews on the casino is a good idea. Some casinos don’t like paying out big wins, so be sure to check out what other people have said about them.
Another thing you would like to look at is the bonuses and terms and conditions that come along with them. And last, but certainly not least - the games library. There is no point playing at a casino if you don’t like the games it has to offer.
But we have gone and made it easy for you. We will save you hours of mind-numbing scrolling and reading. Here is our list of the top 8 casinos available to Turkish players.
BitStarz Casino
Despite being a young one in the gambling industry, BitStarz Casino has done well in making a name for itself. Ever since it was established in 2014, this casino has only gone onwards and upwards. It holds a license from the Government of Curacao, so there is no need to worry about the safety of the site.
When you open the game section at BitStarz Casino, you will get a heart-warming welcome from an abundance of top-quality games. These games are brought to its players by some of the leading providers in the industry – Evolution Gaming, NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, and many more.
This online casino has a downloadable app available to mobile devices. All players need is a mobile phone device that is Windows, Android, or iOS powered. Even the live dealer games are accessible from your mobile device.
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And players from Turkey don’t have to worry about banking methods – they can easily fund their accounts using ecoPayz or even using Bitcoin if they prefer. Customer service is another thing they ace at BitStarz Casino. They have a responsive live chat option as well as a customer support email, in case you encounter any issues, or just happen to be the curious type with many questions.
SlotV Casino
SlotV Casino is another relatively new player on the block, having been founded in 2017. They have collaborated with over 50 software providers to bring their players ultimate satisfaction. They have an exclusive live lounge supplied by Evolution Gaming, the top providers for live games. They even have a sports section. Players should have no problem accessing this online casino through their mobile browsers, both Android and iOS.
At SlotV online casino, players have multiple payment options. Casino enthusiasts have a choice between more than 15 options, many of which are available to players in Turkey. Customer support at this casino gets 5 stars from us. They have everything one could think of – multiple support emails, a live chat option, and even a phone line.
And in case you were worrying about the legal side of things, they hold a license issued by the Malta Gaming Authority. That means the casino meets all the safety and security requirements, so players don’t have to worry about any fraudulent activities.
King Billy Casino
At King Billy Casino players are sure to indulge in luxury. This online casino has been around since 2017 and is licensed by the government of Curacao. King Billy Casino works with some of the best software providers in the industry. Some of which are NetEnt, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, Yggdrasil, Play’n GO, among many others. King Billy Casino boasts over 3000 slot games to indulge in.
And the cherry on this royal cake is, you have a native app for iOS, Android, and Windows, with over 2000 games available.
Courtesy of King Billy joining forces with the likes of Evolution Gaming and Microgaming, this online casino has an exclusive live show section as well as mouth-watering progressive games. Players can enjoy games like Deal or No Deal and Dream Catcher. And let’s not forget the most popular progressive jackpot out there – Mega Moolah. That one really is a crowd pleaser.
The sign up process is simple and doesn’t require an endless list of information and verification. Players can manage their funds in numerous currencies and have many banking methods to choose from. There is also a helpful 24/7 live chat available, a customer support email, and a detailed FAQ section for players.
UniqueCasino
The UniqueCasino truly is unique. This gambling domain first appeared to players in 2016. UniqueCasino has a license issued from the Government of Curacao, so there is no need to worry about legalities.
UniqueCasino works with leading software providers such as Evolution Gaming, Yggdrasil, Pragmatic Play, Betsoft, Playson, and many more. Collaborating with numerous software providers brings its players over 1000 games to enjoy. Not to mention it boasts variety as well as quality. And all of this greatness is accessible through your iOS and Android browsers.
UniqueCasino has multiple options for banking. Many of them are available to Turkish players. You can opt to deposit towards your funds using, ecoPayz, CASHlib, Bridgerpay, and more. All of the payment methods at UniqueCasino are instant. For withdrawals, ecoPayz seems to be the most suitable. They are all processed within 24 hours.
UniqueCasino provides a responsive live chat option as well as a customer support email for users. They also provide a phone line if you would rather converse over the phone.
Frank Casino
Frank Casino is an outstanding casino to spend time and money at, if we may be frank. This casino operator has been in the game since 2014 and holds a license issued by the Government of Curacao. This online gambling domain works with near 50 software operators to bring its players the best of everything.
This online casino has over 1000 games to offer its players. They boast diversity and quality. With software providers such as NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Microgaming, Quickspin, NextGen Gaming, Elk Studios, and so on, you know you are getting the best at this virtual casino.
Players can access the exclusive live dealer section provided mainly by NetEnt and Evolution Gaming. They even host tournaments and have a sports section to indulge in. And all of the fun and games are available to Android and iOS users. All you have to do is open the casino through your mobile browser, and you are set to go.
There are an array of payment methods that are Turkish user-friendly. Some of which are ecoPayz and AstroPay. There is also a super friendly live chat that is available 24/7 to players in need.
Mr Bit Casino
And yet another great online gambling destination. Mr Bit Casino has been operating since 2018. This gambling domain has done a great job in the few years it has been online. It made the cunning move of working with over 55 online casino software providers. This guarantees players at this casino a wide variety of quality games. And this online casino holds a license from Curacao.
This casino has a funky electric blue design that gives it a great look. Its smooth design runs perfectly on mobile devices as well. Access via mobile browsers, whether iOS or Android, has never been easier. Mr Bit mobile casino is nearly identical to its desktop version.
Payment methods are vast for online gamblers. Turkish players will find ecoPayz, Jeton, and WebMoney the preferable options. WebMoney even offers Turkish as a language for its site. Customer support is available to players 24/7 with an online chat with a super friendly customer service team that replies in under 1 minute. They have 2 customer support emails and a phone line available as well.
CryptoThrills Casino
CryptoThrills is a crypto currency only online casino. Players can opt to gamble using Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, or Litecoin. This online casino offers a great opportunity to unveil a world of cryptocurrency gambling. With 160 games to try your luck on, you are sure in for a treat.
This online casino holds a license from Curacao. Its game portfolio is powered by Betsoft, Saucify, Ezugi, and Rival Gaming. These software providers bring slots, video poker, table games, and even a few variants of keno to make up a nice little library of games, they also have multiple live dealer games if you are looking for a bit of interactive playtime.
CryptoThrills is accessible via mobile devices using the browser. Both iOS and Android users can enjoy the mobile version of this casino. The mobile features are very similar to the desktop version, so you can appreciate CryptoThrills while on the go.
Players can manage their funds at CryptoThrills by setting up a cryptocurrency e-wallet. All withdrawal requests are processed in up to 10 minutes. As for customer support, there is a friendly live chat option and a customer support email.
Casoo Casino
Casoo Casino was only founded in 2019, but despite that late start, they have managed to join forces with the biggest software providers in the industry and build up a great game portfolio. This online casino is licensed under the Government of Curacao.
Casoo online casino has a multitude of payment options available for players to manage their funds. They have everything you could think of, so Turkish players don’t have to worry about how they are going to withdraw and deposit their money. There is also a vast array of currencies available.
As far as customer support is concerned, they have everything covered. A responsive live chat, support email, and phone line, all available to players at the casino. They also have a very detailed FAQ section.
Thanks to the likes of Evolution Gaming, Microgaming, Play’n GO, Betsoft, Yggdrasil, and many more, this new online casino offers an abundance of games that will leave you entertained for a lifetime. Players can find over 600 slots, over 100 table games, and more. They have a rich live section with over 70 games with top quality graphics. Casoo even has a live show section supplied by none other than Evolution Gaming. Pretty impressive for a new player on the scene.