Turkey has detained 2 UK based employees of the world-renowned casino operator, Sportingbet, for concerns regarding the company's Turkish business, Superbahis. According to a statement made by this casino gambling services provider to the Stock Market, a number of people related to Superbahis, as well as Maslin Properties – a former partner of the company who aided in casino marketing strategies - were detained by Turkish officials.

Yet several media channels have contemplated whether or not the detained persons were indeed Sportingbet employees, following the company's refusal to further clarify these recent events or comment on the situation. They are currently speculating that the casino group's employees are actually Turkish nationals on holiday in the country.

Peculiarly, Sportingbet was one of the few casino gambling companies that did not vacate the Turkish market once the crackdown on online gaming was imposed. According to the law passed by the Turkish government in Marc 2007, all foreign online casino companies are prohibited from providing their services to Turkish residents. Even major industry players such as Bwin and Neteller were quick to withdraw from the Turkish industry.

Sportingbet, however, believes firmly that its operations in turkey are legal, due to the fact that its computer servers and support services for customers are based externally in Dublin and Guernsey. It has confirmed repeatedly its intention to continue casino gambling business with Turkish customers. Yet Turkish business represents only 14% of its casino gambling revenues, and as such it admits a decreased reliance on this market.