Indonesia is once again seeing a sharp rise in online gambling deposits following Eid al-Fitr. Authorities warn that the post-holiday surge has now occurred for the second consecutive year. The alert was issued by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), which monitors suspicious banking activity linked to illegal betting. It also works with financial institutions to freeze accounts involved in gambling-related transactions.
PPATK officials said they detected a notable increase in suspicious transactions during and immediately after the Eid holiday period, which took place on March 19 and 20 this year. While the agency has not yet disclosed the full figures, it stated that late-March activity is already significantly higher than January and February levels. Official data is expected to be released in April.
Holiday Spike Mirrors 2025 Deposit Trends
The latest warning reflects a similar pattern recorded in 2025, when Eid fell on March 29 and 30. According to figures cited in the report, Indonesian gamblers deposited IDR 2.96 trillion ($175 million) into illegal gambling platforms in January 2025. This rose slightly to IDR 3.05 trillion ($180 million) in February before declining to IDR 2.59 trillion in March.
However, deposits surged dramatically in April 2025, jumping 96% to IDR 5.08 trillion ($300 million). This was before falling again to IDR 2.29 trillion ($153 million) in May. Authorities view this trend as evidence that gambling deposits often spike after the holiday period ends. This occurs rather than during the lead-up to Eid.
PPATK chief Ivan Yustiavandana said the sharpest increases typically occur after Eid. At this time, overall money circulation rises across the country and financial activity becomes harder to distinguish from illegal transactions.
More Free Time Drives Higher Gambling Activity
Experts cited by Tempo suggested that increased free time during the Eid holiday contributes to higher gambling participation. This leads to a predictable rise in deposits and withdrawals through channels commonly used by illegal operators. Consequently, PPATK is prompted to intensify monitoring during this period.
PPATK’s automated detection systems flag unusual transaction patterns associated with gambling and enable rapid coordination with banks to freeze accounts when suspicious activity is identified. Although the full 2026 figures remain pending, officials said the late-March surge is already clearly visible compared to earlier months.
Crackdown Continues Despite Gambling Ban
Online gambling remains illegal in Indonesia, yet demand continues to grow despite ongoing government enforcement. Recent crackdowns have also generated financial returns for the state. Earlier this month, prosecutors in West Jakarta reportedly transferred around $31.3 million to government coffers after dismantling an online casino operation linked to a money-laundering network.
At the same time, authorities and medical professionals have raised alarms about the social consequences of illegal gambling. Doctors have warned that addiction cases are placing growing pressure on mental health services, with some psychiatric facilities reportedly nearing 90% capacity. Courts have also linked gambling addiction to rising divorce rates. Meanwhile, officials have noted concerns that gambling-related crime is increasing alongside the trend.
