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What is Magic Stones?
Earlier this year, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi called illegal betting a “scourge that corrupts society” and emphasised a move towards tougher enforcement.
According to Çiftçi, the rapid growth of digital payments and cryptocurrencies has transformed illegal betting into a major conduit for money laundering.
“Casinos, junkets, cryptocurrencies and underground banking are the most critical parts of the money laundering infrastructure that fuels international organised crime,” he said at the time. “The global gambling market will reach $205 billion in 2030.”
About Magic Stones
Over 100 officers participated in the operation. Authorities seized several high-value vehicles, froze numerous bank accounts and imposed an asset restraint order valued at around €82 million. An arrest warrant was also executed.
Prosecutors allege that five suspects had operated internet-based gambling services without the required German licences from at least July 2021. The volume of bets placed on these platforms reportedly exceeded €5.8 billion between mid-2021 and the end of 2023.
In addition to illegal gambling, investigators suspect extensive tax evasion, with a projected tax shortfall of about €77.6 million for 2024.
What is Magic Stones?
“Many talented individuals simply don’t understand the breadth of careers available in gaming and lotteries, while others have preconceived views about the sector itself,” he continues.
“We’re not just competing with other operators; we’re competing with fintech, gaming, technology and consumer brands that often have stronger employer recognition and, in some cases, fewer misconceptions associated with their industry.
“As a result, we can miss out on talented individuals who simply don’t consider our sector.”
