Illegal iGaming in Turkey: Key Companies and Withdrawal Channels
Illegal operators mainly rely on three companies, through which roughly $2 billion is transferred out of Turkey every year.
The Papara case and investigation materials confirm the scale of the shadow sector. According to statements from witnesses and findings from investigators, the underground market is linked to providers in Switzerland, Armenia, and the United Kingdom, with funds moved through international channels.
Main Providers and Technical Infrastructure
The system operates through services from several major international companies:
- Betradar (Switzerland) — supplies betting data and odds.
- Evolution — provides access to live casino content.
- Betconstruct — a platform with hubs in Armenia and the UK.
According to witness testimony, around 60% of the illegal segment is controlled by companies linked to Armenia. This is supported by documents related to the Papara case.
Launching and Maintaining Illegal Websites
To launch a betting site, operators work with companies that deliver full turnkey solutions. Two key structures are mentioned:
- BETCO,
- PRONET.
The launch cost ranges from €50,000 to €100,000. After receiving the completed platform, site owners pay developers about 20% of player losses each month.
Customer payments are processed by illegal payment services charging 4%–15% in fees. These services handle deposits and obscure transaction trails.
Countries Involved in the Infrastructure
Investigation materials describe an international network supporting operator activities. The following countries are mentioned:
- Cyprus (TRNC),
- North Macedonia,
- Serbia,
- Ukraine,
- Bulgaria,
- Georgia,
- Armenia,
- Israel,
- Brazil.
In Turkey, systems operate using services from Switzerland, Armenia, and the United Kingdom, forming the core infrastructure of the illegal betting market.
Withdrawals and Financial Flows
A witness referred to as “Ihlamur,” whose testimony appears in case files, stated that during the first ten days of each month about €10 million is transferred to Yerevan or London via BTC. Crypto channels enable these transfers to conceal both the origin and destination of funds.
According to the investigation:
- around $2 billion is moved annually,
- main routes involve crypto transfers to Yerevan and London,
- a significant share of operational control is centered in Armenia.
Financial Obligations and Payment Structure
After a site goes live, operators continue working with companies providing infrastructure:
- 20% of player losses are paid to the platform developers,
- deposits are routed through services with fees up to 15%,
- data services and live content are paid for on an ongoing basis.
This structure keeps the sites operational and ensures continuous fund transfers out of Turkey.