Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has disclosed that online gambling deposits in the country reached Rp 17 trillion (US$1.04 billion) between January and June 2025. This underscores the scale of the problem despite ongoing crackdowns.
As reported by Tempo, Safriansyah Yanwar Rosyadi, Director of Digital Space Control, described the surge as a “real threat” to the economy, public welfare, and youth. The ministry has already removed more than 7.2 million gambling-related posts and websites this year. Yet, new platforms continue to appear.
Billions in Transactions and Seized Assets
According to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), total gambling-related transactions from 2017 to early 2025 have reached Rp 927 trillion. Authorities say online gambling operators are exploiting regulatory loopholes and advanced technology. Weak cross-border coordination is also being exploited.
Assistant Commissioner Alvie Granito Pandhita of the National Police’s Cyber Crime Directorate said the police had seized nearly Rp 925 billion in assets from illegal gambling networks over the past two years. He also warned that some Indonesians were being recruited to work for offshore gambling sites. They are lured under false promises of high salaries, only to be exploited.
New Enforcement and AI-Driven Detection
To strengthen enforcement, regulators are advancing AI-powered detection systems and tighter coordination among government agencies. Officials have linked online gambling to national security risks. They note the increasing use of cryptocurrencies, QR codes, and e-wallets to hide transactions.
Social and Economic Impacts
Erika from the Coordinating Ministry for Politics, Law, and Security said that about 70% of online gamblers earn less than Rp 5 million a month, and many of them also receive state welfare assistance. In July alone, authorities found over 603,000 social aid beneficiaries taking part in gambling and immediately suspended their benefits.
A Three-Tiered National Strategy
Authorities are now rolling out a three-tiered national strategy. It focuses on domain shutdowns, cyber patrols, and financial interdiction to disrupt Indonesia’s growing digital gambling economy.
