Key Moments:
- Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital reported US$1.04 billion in online gambling deposits from January to June 2025.
- Gambling-related transactions reached Rp927 trillion (US$56.8 billion) between 2017 and early 2025, with nearly Rp925 billion (US$56.7 million) in assets seized.
- Government suspended benefits for 603,000 welfare recipients involved in online gambling and launched a three-part disruption strategy.
Escalating Scale of Illegal Online Gambling
Data released by Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) shows that illegal online gambling deposits totaled US$1.04 billion over the first half of 2025. This figure highlights the persistence and growth of illicit gambling, despite ongoing efforts to curb its presence in Indonesia’s digital landscape.
Authorities have indicated that gambling websites are reappearing as quickly as they are shut down, presenting a continuing challenge for enforcement agencies. Safriansyah Yanwar Rosyadi, Director of Digital Space Control at Komdigi, described the situation as a “global challenge that requires collective action.”
Financial Crime and Social Impact
Indonesia’s unlicensed online gambling sector poses intricate challenges, encompassing not just financial crime but also labor exploitation and social repercussions. According to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), between 2017 and early 2025, gambling-related financial flows amounted to Rp927 trillion (US$56.8 billion). In response, the National Police Cyber Crime Directorate reported the seizure of nearly Rp925 billion (US$56.7 million) in gambling-related assets.
Investigations also revealed incidences where Indonesians were misled and subsequently exploited by offshore gambling operators.
| Period | Gambling Deposits/Transactions | Assets Seized |
|---|---|---|
| January – June 2025 | US$1.04 billion | – |
| 2017 – Early 2025 | Rp927 trillion (US$56.8 billion) | Rp925 billion (US$56.7 million) |
National Response Intensifies
Government analysis showed that 70% of online gamblers earn less than Rp5 million (US$307) per month, with the majority of them receiving government welfare. As a consequence, authorities suspended benefits for 603,000 individuals implicated in gambling activities.
To counteract these trends, Komdigi unveiled a strategy built on three pillars: shutting down betting domains, coordinating cyber patrols with partners, and tracking financial transactions linked to gambling operations.
Future Outlook
Despite intensified enforcement, significant volumes of illegal betting transactions continue to move through online networks, raising a critical question for policymakers and market observers: Can Indonesia’s newest policies and collaborative strategies curtail the rapid expansion of the country’s digital gambling economy?
- Author
Daniel Williams
