Blunt and Straightforward: Online Gambling in Indonesia
What's Going Down:
- Dropping Transactions: Online gambling transactions in Indonesia plummeted by an astounding 80% in the first quarter of 2025, hitting Rp 47 trillion ($2.9 billion) from January to March.
- Authorities Striking Back: State institutions, including the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), the National Police, and the Communications and Digital Ministry, teamed up for a relentless crackdown on online gambling.
Efforts of the Government:
- Banking Blocked: A staggering 5,000 bank accounts linked to online gambling were frozen, with $36.2 million in gambling-linked funds seized.
- Internet Censored: Access to 900,000 gambling-related pages and posts has been blocked since October 2024.
Future Scenario:
- Dive in Numbers: The decline in transactions is expected to persist, potentially resulting in a steep drop for the whole year.
- Newcomers on the Scene: Despite the crackdown, Indonesian-language gambling sites continue to pop up, making it harder for the government to stamp out the issue.
Revenue Prospects:
- Lower Money In: The current revenue from online gambling in Indonesia is bleeding compared to earlier years, due to tightened anti-gambling measures.
- Losses Galore: With the anticipated continued decline in transactions, the potential revenue from online gambling will only shrink further.
Registered Nationals:
Foreigners Flocking to Indonesia for Jobs in Online Gambling Sector Experiences Uptick
No specific data is available regarding the number of registered locals involved in online gambling. The government has focused more on curbing transactions than tracking individual gamblers. However, the fallout from the crackdown includes fewer individuals partaking in illegal gambling activities.
In a Nutshell:
The online gambling landscape in Indonesia is characterized by a striking decrease in transactions and an aggressive government crackdown. The prospects for the future suggest a continuous slump in transactions, consequently diminishing potential revenue.
In the midst of Indonesia's online gambling crackdown, free spins are becoming increasingly hard to find due to the relentless blocking of gambling-related pages and posts (Internet Censored). Furthermore, the ongoing efforts of state institutions have led to the freezing of accounts associated with online casinos and gambling (Banking Blocked), making it more challenging for players to indulge in such activities.
