Key Moments:
- The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs reported the removal of around 2.8 million digital items between 20 October 2024 and 16 September 2025, with 2.1 million tied to online gambling.
- The Ministry of Social Affairs confirmed welfare payment suspensions for more than 300,000 beneficiaries found to be engaged in online gambling.
- PPATK detected gambling activity involving Rp542.5 billion across 132,557 welfare recipients, with West Java leading in transaction volume.
Robust Measures to Purge Gambling Content
The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) has taken significant steps to limit harmful digital material, removing about 2.8 million items from the country’s online sphere from 20 October 2024 to 16 September 2025. Of these, 2.1 million items were linked to online gambling, according to Alexander Sabar, Director General of Digital Space Monitoring, during an announcement in Jakarta.
| Platform | Items Removed |
|---|---|
| Websites | 1,932,131 |
| File-sharing Platforms | 97,779 |
| Meta Applications | 94,004 |
| 35,092 | |
| X (formerly Twitter) | 17,417 |
| Telegram | 1,742 |
| TikTok | 1,001 |
| Line | 14 |
| Application Stores | 3 |
Sabar emphasized the importance of these measures for public safety, clarifying that the intent is to foster a secure, productive digital environment rather than restrict expression. Komdigi has also been piloting a Content Moderation Compliance System (SAMAN) for one year, aimed at ensuring digital platforms adhere to Indonesian laws and community standards, with the trial period set to conclude next month.
The ministry calls on the public to actively report dangerous online material, including gambling content, via official reporting channels.
Suspension of Welfare Assistance for Gambling-Linked Beneficiaries
The Ministry of Social Affairs has adopted a tough stance on welfare recipients involved in gambling. Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) stated that the ministry identified approximately nine million online casino users, including “around 600,000” individuals receiving social assistance. According to the minister, “more than 300,000 beneficiaries can no longer receive assistance. If it is proven they were engaged in online gambling, their benefits will be terminated immediately.”
The crackdown began after findings were first revealed in July 2025. Since then, enforcement has progressed, with the Jambi City Social Services Agency confirming the removal of 90 families for participation in gambling activities.
Systematic Verification and Identification
The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) reviewed 12 million individuals receiving state benefits, determining that two million were ineligible for aid, including 600,000 linked to online gambling. Saifullah underscored the importance of a re-verification process to ensure fairness, noting that some individuals may have been exploited by others.
The ministry will continue to direct assistance to eligible recipients and maintain benefit amounts. Deputy Minister Agus Jabo Priyono previously indicated that approval was sought to impose strict repercussions for misuse of welfare benefits.
Welfare Fund Misuse and Regional Insights
| Region | Recipients | Transaction Value (Rp) | Transaction Value (USD Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Java | 49,431 | 199,000,000,000 | 12,040,000 |
| Central Java | 18,363 | 83,000,000,000 | 5,020,000 |
| East Java | 9,771 | 53,000,000,000 | 5,020,000 |
| Jakarta | 7,717 | 36,000,000,000 | – |
| Bogor Regency | 5,497 | 22,000,000,000 | 1,330,000 |
| National Total | 132,557 | 542,500,000,000 | 32,770,000 |
According to PPATK, West Java leads in both the number of recipients and transaction values tied to gambling activity. E-wallets, particularly Dana, and large local banks have been the primary channels for these transactions.
Expanded Enforcement and Regulatory Controls
The move to sanction welfare program abusers comes alongside broader efforts to disrupt the illegal online gambling ecosystem. August saw authorities freeze Rp154.3 billion across 811 gambling-related bank accounts. Police are continuing their pursuit of both participants and organizers in gambling networks.
The Financial Services Authority took action earlier in the year to block almost 26,000 gambling-associated accounts. Meanwhile, PPATK reports that gambling platforms processed Rp976.8 trillion through 709 million transactions between 2017 and June 2025.
Efforts to close regulatory loopholes include stricter controls over VPNs, used to access blocked material. In 2022, it was noted that 39 percent of internet users in Indonesia used VPNs, with 30 percent accessing restricted content. E-wallets face additional scrutiny, with PPATK recording Rp1.6 trillion in gambling deposits during the first half of 2025. Strengthened systems at Dana reportedly resulted in “an 80 percent drop in gambling-related activity,” according to CEO Vince Iswara.
Ensuring Accountability and Proper Use of State Aid
The Ministry of Social Affairs set out three criteria for welfare removal: involvement in gambling, stagnant fund balances, and accounts with excessively high balances. Sanctions range from warnings to permanent exclusion.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has repeatedly urged beneficiaries not to use assistance funds for gambling. Citizens are encouraged to report any irregularities through the Cek Bansos app, as Saifullah previously stated the necessity for complete data to ensure thorough investigations and aid proper distribution.
During the first half of 2025, the government budgeted Rp78 trillion for welfare. Authorities are reinforcing identity checks and transparency measures to ensure only qualified recipients benefit and to protect public trust in the welfare system.
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- Author
Daniel Williams
