Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s National Task Force for the Eradication of Online Gambling has reported a major breakthrough in efforts to combat illegal digital betting. Related financial transactions on online gambling has plunging more than 80% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Between January and March 2024, online gambling transactions totaled approximately Rp90 trillion (around $5.6 billion). That figure dropped sharply to Rp47 trillion ($2.9 billion) during the same period in 2025, according to Ivan Yustiavandana, head of the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), who spoke Thursday (May 8) at the Risk-Based Mentoring Program in Jakarta.
“If this trend continues, we estimate the total number of transactions throughout 2025 could be reduced to below 160 million,” Ivan said.
He praised the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) for its central role in curbing online gambling, particularly through aggressive content takedowns. “The blocking of more than 1.3 million gambling-related sites and platforms by the ministry is a remarkable demonstration of its commitment to shutting down massive illegal digital networks,” he added.
Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid acknowledged the progress but warned that the work is far from over. “We still have a long to-do list,” she said. “Our focus is expanding from enforcement and content removal to regulatory reforms that ensure a more systematic and sustainable response.”
Hafid also extended gratitude to communities and institutions involved in the fight. “Thanks to the public, institutions, schools, universities, and all parties who have actively contributed. This is a collective battle,” she said.
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The drop in transactions follows coordinated efforts by key government agencies, including PPATK, the Indonesian National Police, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and Bank Indonesia. The multi-agency operation is in response to President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to eliminate online gambling, which is seen as a threat to economic and social stability.
Among the task force’s strategic measures: blocking more than 1.3 million online gambling domains, deploying artificial intelligence to track suspicious transactions, limiting SIM card ownership to three numbers per ID, and law enforcement actions that seized assets valued at over Rp500 billion ($31 million) from illegal gambling syndicates.
Additionally, the implementation of Government Regulation No. 17/2025 on the Protection of Children in Digital Spaces is being hailed as a critical step toward improving digital governance and safeguarding vulnerable users online.
(Raidi/Agung)
