Betting in Turkiye has been on the rise attracting over 8 million players in 2024 alone. The state-owned IDDAA platform, and 7 other licensed brands such as Billyoner, Misli and Nesine are the only options available, leaving locals without many worthy alternatives.
If we take into consideration the 20% tax imposed on winnings, worse payouts and mandatory verification on registration, we can see a few of the reasons why offshore sportsbooks are preferred by Turkish bettors.
Stay on this article as we explore the best Turkish betting sites, latest trends in sports as well as inspect the regulation and what you must know before wagering online. Let’s start with the top 3 sportsbooks you can find in Turkiye.
Bookmaker Comparison | Local Licensed | International |
Licensing | State Controlled | Malta, Curacao, Kahnawake and other international regulators |
Payments | Bank Transfers & FAST | Debit Cards, Credit Cards, E-wallets, Cryptos, 30+ Other Options |
User Experience | Fully localised for Turkish users (language, payments) | Few sites support the Turkish language |
KYC Verification | Mandatory | Depending on the website |
Taxation | 20% For Winnings Over 7,703 TRY | No Taxation |
With a brief comparison we can see the difference between local sites and international sites is staggering. From the sportsbook to the taxation aspect, it is clear that the only option for serious players is offshore. If you want to start wagering, check our up to date list of Turkish betting sites you can join safely.
Updated List of Turkish Betting Sites
What Is Our Process Of Rating Turkish Bookmakers
When reviewing the best Turkish bookmakers established offshore, we don’t skimp on quality. Each operator is carefully assessed by our team to ensure it provides several must-haves for Turkish players, such as welcome bonuses in TRY and cryptocurrency support for increased confidentiality. You can rest assured that you’ll be able to wager safely and have all the sports betting options you’re after, one click away:
Anonymity
Turkish authorities explicitly prohibit local players from registering on offshore betting sites, with the government constantly cracking down on these operators or making it hard for players to access them through VPNs. To avoid scrutiny, we make sure our recommended platforms safeguard your private details, preserve your anonymity and don’t report to authorities.
Localization
Language barriers can be a significant issue when playing abroad, which is why our team makes efforts to alleviate them by recommending operators that prioritize localization. Our bookies offer a Turkish language alternative for the website navigation, employ Turkish-speaking customer support agents to resolve more complex queries, and also offer Turkish Lira as an account currency option.
Sports Betting Section
One of our main responsibilities as betting experts is to carefully examine this section of the offering to ensure Turks have an enhanced experience compared to local bookies. Our picks showcase at least 30+ sports available for pre-match and live betting, and a plethora of popular markets like 1x2, double chance and total. The top local leagues are adequately represented, too, for example the Turkiye Süper Lig, Women’s Sultanlar Ligi, Efeler Ligi etc.
Bonuses
In our review process, we scrutinize the promotional structure of the operator in search of high-value welcome offers, but also other loyalty rewards like free bets, rakeback, sports jackpots and Combo Boost. If the bookie also issues the bonus in TRY, it goes even higher on our list. Of course, before giving the greenlight, we check the terms & conditions of these offers to ensure fairness.
Payments
In terms of payments, our recommended bookmakers strike a fine balance between localization and openness to creating an international experience for Turks, with fewer restrictions. You’ll find both local options supported like PayFix, Papara and Aninda Havale, alongside popular e-wallets like Skrill and NETELLER. Cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH and USDT are other staple additions to consider, especially for their confidentiality and speed.
Terms
Legit foreign bookmakers display numerous informational sections such as bonus T&Cs and privacy policy. We inspect them down to the last page to learn the bookie’s stance on VPN use, the betting limits and rules, if the bonuses are fair etc. We also make sure the personal details submitted aren’t shared with third parties like government authorities without consent to further protect the interests of Turkish players.
What You Need To Know About Online Betting in Turkiye
Active Players | Legal Age | Local Currency | Player Protection |
300,000+ | 18 | Turkish Lira (TRY) | - |
Online betting in Turkiye is extremely closely regulated and overseen by the government, as there isn’t a designated gambling authority.
Under Turkish law, all betting activities are state-controlled and include the National Lottery (Milli Piyango), horse racing and sports betting through IDDAA, which is granted legal monopoly in the country. IDDAA is managed by Spor Toto Teşkilat Başkanlığı (Spor Toto Organization Directorate), and, since 2019, it’s been operated by a private entity, Şans Girişim Ortaklığı, following a licensing agreement with the government.
Through the enactment of the Anti-Illegal Gambling Act of 2023, Turkiye intensified its efforts to crack down on unlicensed offshore platforms. Authorities increased their surveillance of foreign online betting and casino platforms and blocked the access of local players, whilst also prohibiting banks from processing gambling-related transactions.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Turkiye?
There are only 7 legal online sportsbooks in Turkiye, all of which belong to the state-controlled platform, IDDAA. Prominent examples include Nesine, Bilyoner, Misil and Tuttur. The legal age to participate in gambling and betting in Turkiye is 18 years old.
Private operators outside of the IDDAA network are not allowed to offer betting services to Turkish players. Organizers involved in illegal betting activities can face severe penalties, including administrative fines, prosecution and imprisonment.
Is There Any Betting Tax?
As major disadvantages to note, players who participate in betting through IDDAA are met with a close monitorization of their financial transactions and a mandatory tax on winnings, which is withheld by the operator. As of January 1st 2024, wins of over 7,703 TRY are subjected to a tax rate of 20%.
Should you decide to branch out internationally, you’ll be pleased to learn that several high-profile foreign bookies recommended by our team, such as 1xbet, 22bet and Megapari don’t feature this tax.
Can I Access Other Online Betting Sites?
Although the Anti-Illegal Gambling Act of 2023 marked a pivotal moment in Turkiye’s recent history by blocking access and payments to unauthorized offshore bookies, common workarounds are still used by players, such as VPN services and cryptocurrency.
The government is more focused on taking down the organizers and prosecuting them, rather than going after the players. As such, Turks often resort to international sites, as they have a more comprehensive betting offering and additional features to explore, which we’ve detailed below.
What Are The Benefits of Turkish Betting Sites?
Due to the state monopoly, local sportsbook powered by IDDAA offer a much more restrictive experience for Turkish players. Since there is no competition to worry about, they provide lower odds compared to globally-regulated sites, and mainly focus on popular sports like football and basketball. The number of markets and leagues is also extremely limited, especially for niche sports, plus the massive taxation of winnings is a huge issue. As general numbers, they offer only around 300 markets and less than 15 sports on average.
Conversely, bookmakers established abroad provide increased anonymity through their acceptance of crypto bets and support high stakes wagering, with rarer options also provided, such as e-sports. You can expect up to 2,000 daily events and 500 markets per game, alongside other perks (instant deposits through e-wallets, significant welcome bonuses and relaxed KYC).
Favourite Sports & Trends of Sports Betting in Turkiye - Key Info
Despite the constraining regulatory landscape, sports hold a significant place in Turkish culture. Around 67% of the population watches sports, and some also engage as bettors. Financially, things look just as good, as the betting sector is expected to grow to $2 billion in 2028. Below, we’ll share the most beloved sports in Turkiye that you’re also bound to find on our recommended online sportsbooks.
Turkish Football Betting
Football is the most popular sport in Turkiye. The country is home to five professional leagues, one of which comprises female athletes. Süper Lig is the top division since 1959 and features successful clubs that have made significant performances over the years, such as Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş, and Trabzonspor.
International betting sites present an amazing avenue for Turks to enjoy their favourite sport, as they provide access to local competitions like Super Lig, but also European ones like UEFA Champions League. At least 500 markets are offered, with competitive odds for major events. To boost winning potential and make the experience as interactive as possible, non-domestic bookies also showcase other features like Live Streaming, Bet Builder, Match Animation, Full & Partial Cash Out etc.
Basketball Betting in Turkiye
Since the 1990s, basketball has steadily gained momentum, becoming the second most followed sport in the country. Turkiye has a national league called Basketbol Süper Ligi (TBSL). Furthermore, Turkiye hosted the 2010 FIBA World Championship, where the national team finished second. The most popular basketball teams at the moment are Fenerbahce, Anadolu Efes, Galatasaray and Besiktas, which also have an enthusiastic following from the football world. Women’s basketball division performs quite well in European competitions, also.
The best betting sites from abroad open to Turkish players allow you to participate in popular competitions like the TBSL, but also tackle international options like NBA, Euroleague and United League. You may wager on quarters, totals, team stats, handicaps and extras. We’ve also found advanced options for Super Lig fans, such as first quarter 1x2 and first quarter handicap.
Volleyball Betting in Turkiye
Volleyball is another worthwhile mention, as it ranks third in popularity with Turkish residents. The sport has a major following of women viewers in particular, who are avid fans of Sultanlar Ligi competitions. However, men’s divisions like Efeler Ligi also exist. Turkish volleyball matches, especially finals and international tournaments are broadcasted on TV. The high-profile ones attract millions of viewers.
Offshore Turkish betting sites provide decent coverage for this sport as well, usually showcasing up to 100 daily events, not just from Sultanlar Ligi, but also from Champions League, France Ligue A etc. A wide range of markets is available, including total points, winner, correct score, set handicap etc.
Turkish Horse Racing Betting
Dating back since the days of the Ottoman Empire, horse racing is among the oldest and most appreciated sports in Turkiye. Wagering on this sport has been legal on state-approved operators as well, since 1984, and it’s primarily conducted through the Jockey Club of Turkiye (Türkiye Jokey Kulübü, TJK).
Should you make the plunge into the growing world of horse betting sites in Turkiye, we advice starting with foreign platforms, instead. They allow you to wager on the International Bosphorus Cup and the International Topkapi Trophy, two notable races held yearly, but also on top competitions from other countries like Australia. Some bookies also offer e-horse racing, greyhound and harness racing as alternative options, with hundreds of daily events to partake in.
How To Bet Online in Turkiye - All The Steps
Are you ready to start betting on an international bookie as a Turkish player? You don’t have to call a company agent to create an account, like you would on IDDAA operators, nor go through any ID check until you make a withdrawal. Here’s how easy it is to begin:
- 1 Find A Bookie: Go through our carefully-curated lists to track your next bookmaker. All of our picks have been vetted for security and legitimacy. We’ve also prepared other details that will help you decide faster, such as bonus value, main pros & betting features.
- 2 Setup: Ordinarily, you should be able to select Turkiye from the country list at registration, or insert the country’s prefix when supplying a phone number. However, for extra precaution, we advice turning your VPN on as well. Consider reading the T&Cs beforehand to learn if the bookie has a VPN-friendly stance or not - most will have a detailed mention on this topic.
- 3 Register: Find the ‘sign up’ or ‘register button’ (usually on the top-right corner of the main page). You’ll have to fill-in a set of personal information to continue, such as e-mail address, phone number, country and password. Continue by confirming that you’re 18+, agree to the T&Cs and the privacy policy.
- 4 Deposit: From the cashier or deposit page, you should be able to quickly navigate to your desired method. Payments can be made through a myriad of options, including VISA/Mastercard credit cards, Papara, Payfix, cryptocurrency and e-wallets (Skrill, NETELLER etc.).
- 5 Start Playing: After confirming your deposit, the funds should appear on your balance instantly, so you’re ready to navigate to your favourite sports markets and get into the action.
Which is the Best Payment Method for Betting in Turkiye?
Local sites from the IDDAA network are incredibly limited in the choice of payment methods for Turkish players. They mainly support bank transfer and FAST for instant deposits, and only work with specific financial institutions, which can incur extra fees. E-wallets and other alternative means of payment will not be available. Luckily, none of these restrictions exist on offshore sites, providing more banking flexibility.
⏩ Skrill: Skrill is a popular digital wallet and a favourite amongst gamblers worldwide, valued for its speed, multicurrency support and widespread acceptance. There is an abundance of Skrill betting sites open to Turks at the moment. Most importantly, Skrill acts as an intermediary between the casino and the player, so it doesn’t divulge any banking information.
⏩ Neteller: Neteller is another leading e-wallet, owned by the same company as Skrill, so you’ll find many similarities when it comes to usage and functionalities. Neteller allows instant deposits and fast withdrawals, is especially favoured on offshore platforms and supports 25+ currencies, including TRY. As such, finding the right Neteller bookmakers for your needs will be a breeze.
⏩ Paysafe: Paysafecard is a fantastic option to consider, as it doesn’t require a bank account or a debit card to function. Players can purchase fixed-value vouchers using cash, ensuring full anonymity, so there’s a very low chance the authorities will be able to trace or block transactions. Because the system is trusted on a global scale, it’s easy to find Paysafecard betting sites, online casinos, poker rooms etc.
⏩ Cryptocurrencies: Over half of the Turkish population utilizes cryptocurrency, and current data by Statista estimates that there’ll be 26.21 million users by 2025. Gambling and betting fans in particular should definitely consider using digital currencies. They’re untraceable by the government, plus provide secure and confidential transfers over the blockchain. Bitcoin bookmakers are extremely popular, but other options are typically integrated as well, such as ETH, USDT, LTC, XRP etc.
Can I Deposit With FAST?
FAST is an instant payments system launched by the Central Bank of Turkiye, which is why it’s prevalent on local sportsbooks, with transactions heavily monitored by local authorities. You won’t find this option available on overseas platforms to protect Turkish players from the scrutiny and provide them with more anonymity.
Thankfully, you can explore the other alternatives listed above like e-wallets and cryptocurrency. You won’t be subjected to extra fees or depend on a fixed schedule, either, as it is the case with the FAST banking system.
Do International Betting Sites Accept TRY?
Our selected bookies all accept Turkish Lira for deposits and withdrawals. This is a major advantage because it not only provides a localized experience for Turkish players, but it also eliminates the need for currency conversion, which can help you save money on fees in the long run. Some of our operators also issue different bonuses in TRY and allow you to hold your balance in the same currency, strengthening their commitment to meet regional banking needs.
Are There Any Deposit / Withdrawal Limits?
The FAST system allows maximum money transfers of 100,000 TRY per transaction. Whilst it’s possible to split your payments into multiple smaller amounts to avoid this, it can be quite time-consuming. Luckily, this is only a problem on local Turkish betting sites. On international bookies, there are more generous thresholds in place, with high rollers benefitting from custom limits usually. Furthermore, in some cases, cryptocurrencies have no maximum limits at all.
The Future of Sports Betting in Turkiye
In Turkiye sports betting is regulated. So far the state has shown a very strict stance towards non-licensed online sportsbooks and it doesn’t seem eager to change it anytime soon. The same goes for bettors who opt for the aforementioned sportsbooks, since the authorities keep on threatening them that they will get prosecuted.
Nonetheless, despite the restrictive measures and all the threats deriving from the government, 700+ illegal bookmakers, many of which are scam, keep on operating in Turkiye and several punters place their bets on them.
Therefore, it would be prudent for the authorities to stop blocking international betting sites and issue licenses to them instead; since players are not satisfied with the odds offered by the local licensees. The future looks very uncertain at the moment and only the government can decide how it wants to shape the country’s sports betting market.
Gambling Regulations in Nearby Areas
Scrutinizing the regulations in nearby jurisdictions allows for a clearer comprehension of the frameworks in place for online gambling. If you are looking for alternatives, check one of our guides below:
⏩ Iran: Gambling is categorically illegal, particularly following the Islamic Revolution. Despite this, some betting sites in Iran may accept registrations. However, it is crucial to exercise caution, as violators caught participating in gambling activities can face penalties, including up to six months of imprisonment.
⏩ Iraq: Online gambling operates in a grey area. While there is no clear legislation in place, many players still participate by using local bookmakers like Romeabet and Warobet or by accessing international betting sites in Iraq. Caution is advised due to the uncertain legal status and potential risks involved.
⏩ Azerbaijan: Since 2011, the gambling market has been fully regulated and legal. Note, though, that a single company called eTopaz holds a monopoly on local Azerbaijan betting sites and imposes high taxes on winnings. As a result, many prefer to seek independent sportsbooks to place their bets.
Yes, sport betting in Turkey is legal. Players are allowed to place their bets both on land-based betting shops and online. Except for betting, horse racing and lottery are also legal and regulated, while casinos are not.
Apart from the local licensees that operate in the Turkish market under the state-owned monopoly operator Spor Toto, there are also many international bookies that do so without a license. 1xBet, Bets10 and Tempobet are the most popular betting sites Turkey has to offer.
Among the international sportsbooks that operate in the local betting market, there are some that have successfully optimized their websites in Turkish. Those that stand out are 1xBet, 22Bet, Betwinner and Melbet.
There might be several international bookies that operate in the Turkish betting market, however, only a few accept the TRY as a currency. The most prominent ones are 1xBet, 22Bet, Betwinner, Melbet, DoubleBet and Evobet.
No, Bet365 Turkey is not considered legal and it doesn’t accept Turkish players. The same happens with many international bookmakers. Nonetheless, some of them manage to operate in the country’s market via mirror websites and welcome local bettors.
No, it does not. Bwin Turkey is among the major international bookmakers that decided to stop operating in the country’s market, since the government has not issued licenses to foreign sportsbooks. As a matter of fact, only seven local brands operate with a license.
No Betsson Turkey is not accessible to local bettors. Despite the fact that the popular Swedish-oriented bookmaker used to be one of the top operators in the country; the government decided to grant licenses only to local bookies, so Betsson left the market.