Turkish prosecutors are escalating a high-profile illegal betting case by going after the money, not the websites. A court-backed seizure order has frozen a wide pool of assets tied to alleged betting figure Veysel Şahin, including a large cryptocurrency balance held outside Turkey.
The move matters because Turkey has blocked offshore betting domains for years, but illegal betting networks tend to survive as long as deposits and withdrawals keep working. This time, prosecutors are trying to make the payments and proceeds harder to move.
A court order that reaches across banks, companies, and crypto
Authorities said the seizure decision covers funds held through financial institutions, securities, company stakes, and movable and immovable property linked to Şahin. The stated purpose is to stop suspected crime proceeds from being transferred or laundered while the investigation continues.
The headline figure is cryptocurrency reportedly valued at about €460 million. Officials said it was frozen at a “globally operating” firm abroad and that steps are underway to secure the assets as part of the case.
Why Turkey is focusing on the financial layer
Prosecutors framed the action as an anti-money laundering step, and reporting links the file to analysis by MASAK, Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board. That is a signal the case is being built around financial intelligence, not just gambling allegations.
It also reflects what enforcement can actually change. Blocking a site is temporary. Cutting off banking access, seizing balances, and freezing crypto reduces a network’s ability to pay affiliates, settle bettors, and recycle funds into new brands.
What to watch next as the case develops
The next checkpoints are procedural and financial. Prosecutors may seek additional seizure orders if the asset map expands, and any formal charges will show whether the case stays focused on one alleged operator or widens to facilitators.
There is also a cross-border dimension. Coverage says Şahin is abroad and that extradition steps are part of the picture, which would shape how quickly Turkish authorities can move from freezing assets to resolving the core criminal case.
