Turkey blocks bank accounts used for illegal betting on World Cup

• Ahead of the World Cup final, Turkey ordered the block of thousands of illegal betting accounts
• The country identified nearly two dozen financial institutions involved in facilitating gambling
• Total of 23 suspects are expected to be arrested

Thousands of bank accounts that used for illegal gambling purposes during the FIFA World Cup final were blocked by Turkey.

The country’s decisive action against illegal gambling came just ahead of the final match between Spain and Argentina on Sunday.

Bank accounts blocked, suspects to be arrested

As announced by local media outlets, more than 6,000 bank accounts, which would’ve been used for illegal betting were blocked upon orders of authorities in Turkey.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek made the announcement, confirming that an investigation coordinated with Turkey’s Ministry of Interior identified 6,314 bank accounts used in illegal betting.

Ahead of the World Cup final match on Sunday, the Ministry urged banks to block access to those accounts.

What’s more, the Minister of Justice confirmed that 19 financial institutions, suspected of being involved in facilitating illegal betting, were discovered.

Turkey’s local authorities also identified 23 suspects, allegedly involved in illegal gambling, and ordered their arrest.

Minister Gurlek thanked the Istanbul Provincial Police Department, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and related agencies and officials that helped block the access to accounts that would’ve been used in illegal betting.

"We will never allow the illegal betting and virtual gambling order that targets the labor of our youth, the peace of our families, and the future of our nation," Minister Gurlek wrote, as quoted by the local media outlet, Haberler.

The latest crackdown reaffirms Turkey’s dedication to combatting illegal gambling.

The coordinated operation was completed strategically ahead of the World Cup final, which generally attracts significant betting action.

The final game resulted in a win for Spain, which clinched a score of 1-0 against Argentina in a dramatic battle of endurance.

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