1. Your first impression after the confirmation of your membership?
We are truly delighted and honored to be part of the WoTA. The unanimous support from the General Assembly has reinforced our belief that this membership will open new doors for collaboration and mutual growth in the global horseracing industry.
2. What can WoTA bring to your company? And what can your company bring to WoTA?
WoTA offers an incredible platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration across international borders. Through WoTA, we hope to enhance our expertise in pool betting, benefit from innovations in technology, and contribute to the strengthening of global betting pools through commingling. Access to shared knowledge and best practices from around the world will help us tackle challenges such as illegal betting and enhance customer engagement.
In return, TJK brings decades of horseracing experience, a deep understanding of the Turkish market. We aim to contribute to global betting pools. Our contribution will also focus on helping strengthen and sharing insights from our experience in managing large-scale racing and breeding operations for WoTA members who, like TJK, manage these operations alongside betting.
3. What are the most important challenges your company is facing in 2025?
As a company with 71 years of experience in pool betting, TJK will embark on a new chapter in 2025 by launching fixed-odds betting for the first time.
This move is largely driven by the habits of younger players in Turkey, who are accustomed to fixed-odds betting on sports events, which generate significant turnover in the sports betting market.
To cater to these preferences, we will offer fixed-odds betting for single-race options. alongside our existing pool bets for multi-leg races. However, this transition is expected to be challenging in its initial phase, as we work to educate both traditional pool players and newer sports bettors about the new options available. Ensuring a smooth integration of both models while maintaining the integrity of pool betting will be a key focus for us throughout the year.
In addition to offering fixed-odds betting, through our own online betting platforms, we anticipate that the involvement of newly authorized online betting platforms with experience in sports betting will help us convert these sports bettors into horse racing enthusiasts. This, in turn, should significantly boost our overall turnover.
4. What kind of relationship do you have with other tote/horserace betting operators?
As the Turkish Jockey Club, we have always valued collaboration with other tote betting operators around the world. We believe that exchanging knowledge and experience not only strengthens our own operations but also contributes to the growth of the global betting industry. Over the years, we have developed strong relationships with operators from various regions, which has allowed us to stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and regulations. These partnerships have been instrumental in our continued success.
In addition to these ongoing collaborations, we actively participate in international conferences and organizations, ensuring that we are part of the broader conversations shaping the future of the industry. Our recent membership in the WoTA further enhances our ability to build and deepen these relationships. We see this as a valuable platform for strengthening existing partnerships and forming new ones.
As we prepare to launch fixed-odds betting for the first time in 2025, we are excited about the potential for new collaborations with global operators. We are eager to learn from others’ experiences and share our own insights as we move forward in this new direction.
5. Where do you see your company in a 10–15 years’ time?
In 10 to 15 years, I envision TJK as a regional leader in horseracing and betting, recognized for our innovation in pool betting and successful integration of fixed-odds betting. By maintaining our multi-leg bets under the pool model and offering single-race fixed-odds betting, we aim to attract a wider audience and create a balanced betting environment.
We expect online betting platforms, newly authorized by TJK, to play a key role in converting sports bettors into horseracing enthusiasts. Their expertise will drive substantial growth, particularly among younger bettors.
6. What do you do when you are not in charge of Horserace betting issues?
Outside of betting issues, I spend a significant amount of time working on initiatives to improve the quality of our racing events, enhance our breeding operations.
As you know, TJK is not solely a betting operator; we are also responsible for managing extensive horseracing and breeding activities. We operate 10 racetracks, hosting 758 race meetings in 365 days a year. Additionally, our 7 stud farms and breeding stations support and develop the thoroughbred racing industry in Turkey.
On a personal note, I’m also passionate about sports in general and enjoy watching and participating in various sporting activities whenever possible.
7. Please tell us what is your best memory of a sport (horseracing or other) event you have attended?
One of my most unforgettable memories in horseracing was witnessing American Pharoah’s victory in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic, where he became the first horse in history to complete the Grand Slam—winning the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the same year. It was an honor to witness such a remarkable event.
Another standout memory was being present for Frankel’s final race in the 2012 Champion Stakes at Ascot. Frankel, known for his undefeated career, confirmed his status as one of the all-time greats. It was an experience that will always remain with me.