Indonesia blocks 1.3 million online gambling contents under President Prabowo's leadership
As Indonesia continues its crackdown on illegal online gambling and digital threats, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) has blocked over 1.3 million pieces of online gambling content between 20 October 2024 — the day President Prabowo Subianto took office — and 23 April 2025. According to Minister Meutya Hafid, this includes 1,192,000 gambling websites and 127,000 pieces of content on social media.
“These numbers reflect a real threat in the digital space that disturbs national security and order,” Meutya said in a written statement on Sunday.
Rising cybersecurity concerns
in dangerous online content, such as gambling and child sexual abuse material, calling it a persistent and evolving threat to national cybersecurity. “The development of a healthy and safe digital space is not only the responsibility of the government but also the result of collaboration from all parties,” she noted.
To counter these challenges, Komdigi has intensified digital surveillance and law enforcement through strategic collaboration with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK). A key initiative includes the launch of the Content Moderation Compliance System (SAMAN), which requires digital platforms to take down high-risk content within four hours and other harmful material within 24 hours.
The ministry has also issued the Government Regulation on the Governance of the Implementation of Electronic Systems in the Protection of Children in the Digital Space (PP Tunas) to strengthen child safety measures online.
Indonesia’s war against online gambling
Ramping up its efforts to curb the so-called epidemic of online gambling, the Indonesian government authorities last week froze over 5,000 bank accounts tied to online gambling. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) reported that these accounts, both individual and group, were connected to online gambling activities. Natsir Kongah, PPATK’s public relations coordinator, said that the total value of transactions through these accounts could not yet be confirmed.
“So far, we have blocked five thousand accounts… the accumulation since the (PPATK) head said it is that in the first quarter of 2024, it has reached Rp600 trillion (around US$36.39 billion),” Kongah said during an online discussion on the impact of online gambling.
He added that most of the money was transferred to other ASEAN countries, including Thailand, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
Earlier in February, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced that the government will introduce stricter regulations to tackle online gambling. The move aims to strengthen existing measures and the administration’s commitment to intensifying efforts against illegal gambling activities.
Those caught gambling can face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 25 million rupiah ($1,520). Authorities have linked gambling addiction to rising crime and an increase in high-interest loans. The country’s leading Islamic scholar body considers cockfighting as haram (forbidden).
On 14 June 2024, the Indonesian government issued a presidential decree forming an online gambling eradication task force. It is chaired by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto. The task force aims to stop illegal gambling operations that can cause financial harm, social and psychological distress, and even criminal behaviour.
