Today, we’re about to lift the lid on Turkey’s gambling scene. We’ll check out what’s legit, what’s not, and how the big dogs up in the government feel about it all. We’re talking sports betting, online casinos, poker – the whole shebang. We’ll also dig into the top online casinos where Turkish players can get their game on, and spill the beans on picking the right one. Plus, we’ll chat about the most popular ways to stack your chips in Turkish online casinos and give you the 411 on the crypto game in the country. And of course, we can’t forget about the traditional brick-and-mortar casinos and lotteries. We’ll wrap it up talking about how safe and sound it is to bet in Turkish casinos.
Best Online Casinos For The Turkish People
Now, online casinos in Turkey? It’s a tricky biz. They’re off the table in the country, but slot lovers? They always find a way.
That way? Offshore casinos. Places that are out of reach from the Turkish government’s long arm. Heads up, though – not all foreign online casinos are welcoming Turkish players. But don’t sweat it, we’ve got a killer list of the best casinos just for you.
Turkey’s gambling tale has its fair share of twists – with some highs of legalizations and some low blows of bans. Back in the 90s, Turkey was living large with casinos and bookies all above board. These joints were swanky spots, employing over 20k people, and funneling more than a billion bucks to the treasury each year.
Dial it back to ’84, and that’s when horse racing bets were given the green light. Fast forward to 1990, and casinos were all the rage, though that flame burnt out pretty fast. ’96 was the beginning of the end for land-based games, eventually leading to a total shutdown of all gambling spots.
A lot of these casinos went underground, but that gamble? Didn’t really pay off. Hosting these backdoor games could land you in hot water, with monster fines and even some jail time. There’s always a cop around the corner, cracking down on this shady biz. So, our advice? Stay clear of these underground spots and maybe peep what the neighbors with more chill laws are up to.
Legality and regulation of gambling
As mentioned, brick-and-mortar casinos are a hard no in Turkey. Online ones? Pretty much in the same boat. But c’mon, in this digital age, it’s near impossible to shut things down entirely. So, for the Turkish gamers, there’s still a heap of online casinos out there.
The government’s a tad softer on sports betting and lotteries, though. There’s this bigwig agency, SporToto, run by the sports ministry, that hands out licenses to bookies. So, sports junkies placing bets with official bookmakers? They’re all good. Lotteries? Same story. They’re kosher, with the state company Milli Piyango running the show.
Choosing the best online casinos in Turkey
If you’re looking to throw down some cash in an online casino, there are a few things we always keep an eye out for, and you should too. First off, always check if the joint’s got a legit license and if it’s up to date. Don’t forget to scope out some reviews on different platforms. It’s also cool if they’ve got a solid bonus scene and a good range of payment options. And hey, in this age of smartphones, make sure their site isn’t trash on mobile and that their support team isn’t asleep at the wheel.
Legality and Safety
Since all the online casinos available to players from Turkey are overseas, it’s crucial to know the big dogs in the regulatory game. The most legit commissions are Curacao, MGA, UKGC, and a few others. Before you roll the dice, make sure your online casino is licensed and up-to-date.
User Feedback
Reading other players’ two cents is not only smart but also pretty enlightening. Before we give our take, we always deep dive into reviews from other gamblers. Sites like Reviewed Casinos or OnlineCasinoRank are legit for this. Local forums are a bit tricky to find, given the government loves to pull the plug on those.
Bonuses & Promotions
The top casinos always come out with banging offers. For the newbies, there’s usually a welcome bonus that could include some extra dough on your deposit and some free spins. For the regulars, there are reload bonuses and some fancy VIP schemes. We’ll get into the nitty-gritty of all the bonuses later.
Payment Systems
Any good casino will give you plenty of ways to make it rain. From your everyday bank cards to e-wallets and even some crypto options. The last two are especially key for Turkish players since direct bank transfers can be a pain.
Customer Service
Let’s talk about the unsung heroes: the support team. Our list of top online casinos for Turkey only includes spots where the support is 24/7 and speaks Turkish, no exceptions. Communication is key when you’re in the online gambling scene, so you need to make sure you and support are vibing.
Mobile Adaptation
Over 70% of the peeps in Turkey are glued to their smartphones. This means a ton of players prefer gambling on the go. So, the best casinos make sure their websites aren’t a hot mess on different mobile devices.
Bonuses and promotions for Turkish players
Turkey’s most banging online casinos offer a range of sweet bonuses. We’re talking welcome bonuses for new players, and steady perks for the regular crowd. Regular bonuses include reloads, cashback systems, races and tournaments, and of course, the VIP jazz. We’ll dive deep into each type of bonus with some real-deal examples later.
Welcome Bonus
Hey, newbies! Score a sweet welcome package packed with a top-up on your deposit and some free spins. It’s often spread across your first few deposits. Like, at SlotV Casino, you can grab a +100% on your deposit and 50 free whirls. And over at Mostbet Casino, you can score a +125% and 250 freebies.
Regular Player Bonuses
You loyal rollers can always count on some perks. For instance, Vesper Casino’s got a weekly reload happening every Saturday, up to 60%. That’s a solid boost to your stash. Plus, you’ve got birthday bonuses, special points on Wednesdays for depositing, that you can trade in for cold hard cash or free spins.
Races and Tournaments
A bunch of casinos have these races or tournaments going on. It’s like a special deal where they set up a leaderboard. Play specific slots, climb the ranks if you meet certain conditions. At the end of the tournament, those who’ve hit the prize spots bag some serious rewards. In 1xSlots Casino, you’ll find a massive variety of tournaments, with prize pools ranging from 4000 EUR to a whopping 500000 EUR. Some are run by the casino, some by providers like Pragmatic Play.
Sports betting in Turkey
The government’s way chiller about sports betting than online casinos. There’s this outfit, SporToto, that takes care of regulating and licensing the bookies. Sports are huge in Turkey ’cause folks are mad about staying healthy and love a good competition. Here are some hot picks:
Football – No shocker here, football’s king. Loads of people play regularly, and even more watch and bet on the games.
Basketball – Another team sport that’s scored big in Turkey. It kicked off big time in the early 20th century, with the Turkish Super League founded in 1966. The national team’s pretty solid, even nabbing second place in the FIBA World Cup in 2010.
Volleyball – A staple sport in many countries. Both the men’s and women’s teams in Turkey hit the global cups and the Olympics. Plenty of open courts around, both for amateurs and pros, thanks to that warm, dry climate.
Water Polo – A funky mash-up of football and volleyball. It’s caught on in Turkey with a bunch of open and indoor venues.
Motorsport – Racing got super famous after the Formula-1 races in the mid-2000s. Lots of people follow the moto-scene and Formula-1, and, of course, bet on the races.
In Turkey, there’s a truckload of bookies to pick from. Some are offshore dudes, while others got their local licenses. The top dogs in the game include 1xBet, MostBet, 22Bet, and Bettilt.
Convenient payment systems
With e-commerce booming in Turkey, there’s a bunch of ways to drop some cash into online casinos. The main players are bank cards and various e-wallets. Another big shot on the rise? Cryptos. They’re gaining traction thanks to their hassle-free deposits, quick speed, and penny-pinching fees. Let’s deep-dive into the most popular methods.
VISA/MasterCard
Probably the easiest way to top up your online casino balance. They’re popular ’cause almost every adult has one. The deposit’s instant, but cashing out? That can take a hot minute, from 15 mins up to 3 days, depending on your bank. A bummer is that some banks give a side-eye to these transactions, so they might not always sail through the first time around.
BKM Express
This might be the go-to e-wallet in Turkey. Crafted by BKM (which is like Turkey’s central bank for payment cards), it lets you bundle up all your credit/debit cards, no matter which Turkish banks dished them out. Loads of international online casinos are all over this payment method.
Skrill/Neteller
These are big hitters that gamblers worldwide swear by. Setting up is a breeze, verification’s quick, and they even let you snag a physical card. Another feather in their cap? The fees won’t break the bank, and they support a ton of currencies.
PayPal
That big-time American payment system that’s a fave for folks worldwide. Its user-friendly vibe, coupled with a bunch of ways to add funds, makes it a breeze to top up and withdraw from online casinos. Worth noting, not every Turkish online casino is vibing with this method, but it’s still pretty hot.
Cryptocurrencies
Given the chill laws, Turks can snag some cryptos as an investment or use them for casino deposits. Right now, a lot of casinos are down with cryptos as a deposit method, which is sweet for players. Why? The fees are peanuts, and the transaction’s done and dusted in 5-15 minutes.
NOTIFY In Turkey, cryptos are clear-cut digital assets. That means you’re free to buy and sell them for investing or playing the market. But here’s the kicker: even though you can’t use cryptos as digital cash for your everyday online or in-person shopping, this doesn’t extend to offshore online casinos. Why? They operate outside the grasp of Turkish laws.
If you’re itching to buy some cryptos, hit up any licensed exchange. Just brace yourself for the usual ID check, especially if you’re dealing with big bucks—like anything north of 75,000 Turkish Lira—or if your transaction looks sketchy. When it comes to regulating these crypto joints, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) got it on lock.
Popular gambling providers in Turkey
In Turkey, players are vibing with the same providers that have earned their stripes worldwide. A dope graphic alone won’t cut it; the game mechanics have to be banging. Players are mostly into high-volatility games, where lucky chancers can hit those big-time scores. Check out this rundown of the hottest providers that Turkish gamers are all about:
Pragmatic Play
This provider is straight-up gold standard. Turkish players, like gamers everywhere, are digging their balanced game design. They’re not all about one thing; they spread the love across all the good stuff.
Bgaming
A newbie in the scene, only about a decade old. These guys were quick to jump on the crypto bandwagon, letting folks play with cryptos. That move made them a big hit, not just in Turkey but globally.
Play’N’Go
A Swedish powerhouse that’s totally neck and neck with Pragmatic Play for the top spot. Some of their slots, like Puebla Parade, are pure fire with Turkish players. It’s a no-brainer, really, given their sick graphics, sound, and killer game mechanics.
NetEnt
One of the OGs, with a whopping 300+ games under their belt. Turkish players are all over them for their mad variety. They’ve got everything from the classic slots to some next-level games where you can win mind-blowing progressive jackpots.
Spribe
A fresh face in the game. They’re all about groundbreaking stuff. Take their slot Aviator, for instance: it’s a wicked mash-up of old-school vibes and new-school swag. No wonder gamers worldwide can’t get enough of them.
Land-based casinos in Turkey
Man, it’s a bummer but Turkey ain’t got those flashy brick-and-mortar casinos. Why? Well, there’s this law that totally nixed offline and online casinos in the country. The joints that are still around? They’re packed with betting shops and places to snag lottery tickets.
Now, there are some shady underground casinos, but the fuzz is always cracking down on ’em. Folks running these places get slapped with massive fines and some hard time behind bars. If you wander into one of these places, you’re playing with fire and could land in hot water with the law. So, here’s some free advice: don’t even think about trying that scene. Maybe just hop over to a neighboring country like Georgia or Bulgaria where they’ve got legit casinos.
Lotteries and other gambling entertainment in Turkey
Lotteries are one of the few legal forms of gambling. All lotteries in the country are state-owned and regulated by Milli Piyango. There are 4 most popular types in total:
On Numara: Super simple game. You pick 22 numbers between 1 and 80. During the draw, 22 balls pop up. The more numbers you match, the bigger your payday. Match at least 10, and you’re laughing all the way to the bank with a progressive jackpot around a cool million Lira. They run this shindig every Monday and Friday at 8pm local time.
Sayısal Loto: Buy a ticket, pick 6 numbers from 1 to 90 and one bonus ball. The draw is kinda like On Numara. Nail all 6 numbers, and you could be rolling in about a million Turkish Lira. This game’s on three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, sharp at 9pm.
Sans Topu: This one’s a stripped-down version of Sayısal Loto. You’ve got 5 main numbers between 1 and 34 and one bonus ball. So, the odds of hitting the jackpot are way better. Match all 5 main balls and the bonus to bag over 754K Lira.
Super Loto: The big kahuna of lotteries. Pick 6 numbers from 1 to 54. There are several prize categories, and to get into each, you’ve got to guess a certain number of balls right.
Prize category
Number of matches
Chance of fallout
1
6
1 to 25,820,000
2
5
1 to 89,678
3
4
1 to 1,527
4
3
1 to 75
The jackpot’s progressive, starting at a hefty 900,000 TRY. Draws are every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 6:55pm. Fun fact: the biggest wins in this game were on April 26, 2008 (a whopping 42.5 million TRY) and March 5, 2009 (a solid 34.1 million TRY).
First off, it’s worth pointing out that Turkey’s got a thing for special lotteries tied to holidays. For instance, one of the fattest jackpots in Turkey’s history was up for grabs during the New Year’s Lottery in 2019, clocking in at a cool 80 million Turkish Lira.
Poker’s a mixed bag in Turkey. On one hand, you’ve got the IDDAA agency overseeing the online gambling scene, poker included. They teamed up with big-shot Pokerstars and rolled out a network just for Turkish online players. But since it’s not exactly setting the world on fire and only allows Turkish players, many regulars have jetted off to other international sites, potential penalties be damned.
Top poker rooms welcoming Turks? GGPokerok, GutsPoker/RedStar, and PokerKing/ACR, to name a few.
Reliability and safety of online casinos in Turkey
The Turkish government’s stance on online casinos? It’s complicated. While they’re technically illegal, IDDAA is supposed to be handling the online gambling licenses. But the real story? Most Turkish players are flocking to offshore online casinos.
The top dog gaming commissions include MGA (Malta), Curacao, GGC (Gibraltar), and a few others. If your casino’s rocking one of these licenses, you can bet it’s legit. But here’s the million-dollar question: what if a casino screws you over and breaks the licensing rules? Simple: hit up the commission that licensed that casino. Drop them an email or check out their official site.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, Turkey’s got some real potential when it comes to the gambling biz. Right now, it’s just sports betting and state lotteries that are above board. Online casinos and poker? Officially a no-go. Still, plenty of players have found their way to offshore gaming hubs.
Land-based casino buffs? Prepare for a letdown. They’re off the table in Turkey, but nearby countries have got you covered.
On the bright side? Cryptocurrencies have the green light, recognized as digital assets. So, feel free to snag some for whatever floats your boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play at online casinos in Turkey?
Legally, online casinos are prohibited in Turkey. But there is always a way out in the form of offshore casinos, which are not subject to Turkish law.
With the help of what can be deposited in online casinos in Turkey?
You can replenish your account with both bank cards and various e-wallets (BKM Express, Neteller, PayPal). Fans of cryptocurrencies will not be left out, as this method of deposit is gaining popularity.
Are there any land-based casinos in Turkey?
No, at the moment there are no land-based casinos in Turkey. But they do exist in neighboring Georgia, and are located right on the border.
What is the situation with sports betting and lotteries?
The only legal gambling entertainment in Turkey are sports betting and state lotteries. For their licensing and conducting are responsible organizations SporToto and Milli Piyango.
Is it possible to play online poker in Turkey?
This question is very ambiguous. On the one hand, many poker rooms (GGPokerok, GutsPoker, PokerKing) actively accept Turkish players. On the other hand, playing on sites that are not part of the IDDAA network can be penalized.
23.01.2022 | Date updated: 17 July 2024
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