Turkish authorities are investigating media mogul Acun Ilıcalı, founder of the TV8 broadcaster and a vice president of Fenerbahçe Football Club, for allegedly promoting illegal betting, Turkish media reported on Wednesday.
The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched the probe following complaints about an advertisement for a gambling platform displayed on digital billboards during a Turkey-Montenegro football match broadcast on TV8.
Responding to the allegations, Ilıcalı stated that the advertisements were managed by the host country’s football federation, not by his network. “As in Turkey, advertising rights for matches played abroad belong to the hosting country’s federation,” Ilıcalı wrote on social media. He cited a similar incident three years ago involving Turkey’s state broadcaster, TRT, to emphasize that TV8 had no involvement in the issue.
Meanwhile, Turkish prosecutors have filed an indictment seeking prison sentences of up to three years for Mehmet Ali Erbil, a prominent television host and actor, and Serdar Ortaç, a well-known singer, on charges of promoting illegal betting platforms, according to local media reports.
The indictment, drafted by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, accuses Erbil and Ortaç of encouraging illegal gambling by advertising related content on their social media accounts. Prosecutors have demanded the maximum sentence for both celebrities, citing their roles in allegedly supporting illegal activities.
The case is part of a broader investigation targeting high-profile individuals and social media influencers suspected of promoting unlawful gambling activities. Authorities had earlier issued detention orders for 23 suspects, 17 of whom have been apprehended. Among those detained are former footballer Batuhan Karadeniz, influencers İbrahim Yılmaz and Muzaffer Zorbey Erkoçlar, and Russian-Turkish dual citizen Aleksander Menshikov. Police efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining suspects, some of whom are reportedly abroad.
Both Erbil and Ortaç, who were placed under house arrest after being referred to court, have faced significant public scrutiny due to videos shared on social media platforms. One video featured Ortaç demonstrating how to access and use online gambling services.
The promotion and operation of illegal gambling are significant offenses in Turkey, where gambling is strictly regulated. While some legal gambling options, such as the state lottery and specific betting services, are available, non-state gambling activities were outlawed in 2006.
Illegal betting has flourished in recent years, particularly in connection with professional football. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) recently introduced penalties for clubs involved in illegal betting promotions, including fines and potential point deductions for repeat violations.
