Indonesia ramps up online gambling cleanup, blocks millions

The Indonesian government has ramped up its fight against online gambling, with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs revealing that it took down more than 2.4 million gambling websites and related online content between 20 October and 2 November 2025. The large-scale crackdown forms part of a broader national and international effort to curb the spread of online gambling, which officials warn has drained billions of dollars from the economy and poses a growing social threat.

At a press conference on Thursday, Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid revealed the ministry’s latest enforcement figures. “From 20 October to 2 November 2025, the number of websites and web contents (taken down) is 2,458,934, of which 2.1 million were websites and the remainder were file-sharing contents,” Hafid stated.

The ministry’s monitoring identified 123,000 file-sharing contents spread across social media platforms, including 106,000 on Meta, 41,000 on Google and YouTube, and 18,600 on X (formerly Twitter). Other platforms, such as Telegram (1,942), TikTok (1,138), Line (14), and even the App Store (3), were also found to be hosting illicit content.

According to Hafid, the large-scale operation demonstrates the ministry’s ongoing commitment to cutting off access to online gambling networks that continue to evolve across digital platforms. “We need to understand that apart from access, bank accounts also become a factor in internet crimes,” she stated.

Bank accounts flagged for gambling transactions

Alongside the content removal campaign, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs also identified 23,604 bank accounts linked to online gambling activities. These findings were forwarded to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) for further investigation and possible account blocking.

Hafid explained that the collaboration between her ministry and PPATK is part of a coordinated national strategy to choke off the financial infrastructure supporting illegal gambling. “Because we understand not only access, but also the account becomes his neck from criminal behaviour on the internet, especially online gambling,” she said.

Decline in online gambling transactions

The PPATK reported a 57 percent decrease in online gambling transactions this year compared to 2024. According to the agency, the total value of such transactions fell from Rp359 trillion in 2024 to Rp155 trillion in 2025.

Deposits into gambling platforms also fell sharply to Rp24.9 trillion, compared with Rp51 trillion in the previous year – a 45 percent decrease. Hafid said the data shows progress but emphasised that stronger collaboration among stakeholders remains critical.

“President Prabowo, at the APEC Summit, emphasised that online gambling is a cross-border organised crime. This means that our efforts to collaborate with domestic authorities and agencies are no longer sufficient,” Hafid added.

Economic & social impact

Speaking at the recent APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in South Korea, President Prabowo Subianto said that Indonesia loses roughly US$8 billion per year because of internet gambling, which he called a huge danger to the country’s social and economic stability.

“We calculate that we lose around $8 billion every year solely due to outflows from online gambling,” he said, urging APEC member economies to cooperate more closely to fight transnational crimes.

He underlined that online gambling not only weakens Indonesia’s economic resilience but also damages social and moral values. Prabowo called for regional cooperation across Asia to enhance digital security, financial oversight, and law enforcement coordination.

Cross-border networks & regional cooperation

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra confirmed that thousands of Indonesians are believed to be working in online gambling operations based in the Philippines, under supervision from Cambodia.

“When I met the Minister of Justice of the Philippines two months ago, I was informed that thousands of Indonesian citizens are in the Philippines controlling online gambling operations coordinated from Cambodia,” Yusril said.

He explained that such operations represent transnational organised crime, requiring bilateral and multilateral cooperation to effectively dismantle the networks involved.

“We will strengthen this cooperation. If necessary, we will hold dialogues and agreements with related countries to stop online gambling,” Yusril told local media.

He added that ongoing collaboration between the Philippine and Cambodian governments has already reduced activities in the Philippines, but some operators have since relocated to Phnom Penh.

Religious & social outreach against gambling

In addition to enforcement, Yusril urged Indonesia’s religious leaders to play an active role in addressing the moral and social dangers of online gambling. “I believe dissemination (about the online gambling issue) must involve clerics and religious leaders,” he said after a meeting at the PPATK office in Jakarta.

“For the last five years, I have never heard any sermon about online gambling. The preachers always speak about hell but forget to speak about real issues faced by our people.”

He described gambling as a behaviour that contradicts Indonesia’s religious and cultural values, noting that it often leads to addiction, theft, and even suicide.

“Parents, religious figures, teachers, and public figures are obliged to remind the people to avoid gambling,” he added.

Misuse of welfare funds & rising public awareness

Government investigations revealed that some citizens, including students and welfare recipients, have used state funds to gamble online. Yusril said the Social Affairs Ministry, assisted by PPATK, found that over 600,000 social assistance recipients misused benefits for gambling deposits.

Officials said such cases highlight the urgent need for stricter oversight of financial aid and stronger digital education. “Hence, the government will implement strict measures to curb online gambling, targeting both organisers and participants while also promoting public awareness,” Yusril stated.

Technology and AI to combat online gambling

Authorities are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and integrated digital systems to detect and prevent illegal gambling transactions. Industry experts have emphasised the need for real-time monitoring and coordinated databases across ministries and banks.

Fransiska Oei from the National Banks Association (Perbanas) said, “AI-based crawling technology can help accelerate the identification of bank accounts involved in online gambling networks.”

She added, “Digital transactions are the backbone of the future economy. Hence, the financial industry is committed to ensuring that the payment system remains secure, transparent, and aligned with ethical standards.”

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