With new banking regulations that increase oversight of high-value money transfers, Turkey is stepping up its fight against financial crime and illegal gambling.
Starting on January 1st, 2026, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) will implement the regulations, which require banks to obtain detailed documentation for all transactions of ₺200,000 (£3,431) or more.
Both individuals and corporations must specify the purpose of each transfer, as generic explanations will no longer be accepted.
For deposits or withdrawals exceeding ₺20m (£343,100), banks will be required under the new framework to confirm the source of funds and obtain supporting documentation, such as property deeds.
The actions are in line with international anti-money-laundering guidelines and are a component of Turkey’s larger effort to stop activities such as illicit gambling and financial system corruption.
Expanded Monitoring and Legal Enforcement
The crackdown has escalated since the 11th Judicial Package was approved, strengthening prosecutors’ power to seize funds, freeze assets, and pursue cases related to unlicensed betting operations.
The goal of these reforms, according to Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, is to “close loopholes that allowed illegal betting networks to operate unpunished and at scale,” since such operations “finance organised crime and cause serious social harm.”
Turkish banks and payment providers now have more obligations to comply with the new regulations.
In order to avoid administrative penalties, they must reply to official requests for customer data within ten days.
Major banks, such as Ziraat Bankası, Türkiye İş, and Garanti BBVA, have already started alerting clients about illicit gambling-related activities..
As Turkey gets ready for its next election cycle, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed a “zero-tolerance” policy and confirmed that enforcement efforts will step up through 2026.
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