New task force to fight online gambling in Indonesia

Lea Hogg April 19, 2024

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New task force to fight online gambling in Indonesia

In Indonesia, a nation where gambling is forbidden for both local and international players, preparations are underway to escalate the battle against online gambling. The Indonesian Minister of Communication and Information, Budi Arie Setiadi, has unveiled plans to create a unified task force dedicated to eliminating online gambling. This declaration is part of a series of initiatives in recent years to suppress gambling in the country.

Within a span of six months, Setiadi has supervised the blocking of nearly a million gambling activities in the country. This new task force signifies a substantial advancement in the country’s ongoing war against unlawful online gambling.

The task force’s objective is to address the issue of illegal online gambling by promoting tighter collaboration among ministries and institutions. The Ministry of Communication and Information will be tasked with eliminating online gambling sites, while the enforcement will be undertaken by relevant institutions and law enforcement officials.

Global initiatives against illegal gambling

Setiadi expressed, “This week we will finalize the steps to establish an integrated task force aimed at eliminating online gambling. This form of gambling is illegal by law, hence, the need for effective enforcement measures. The Ministry of Communication and Information will concentrate on withdrawing and removing online gambling sites, while the enforcement aspect will be delegated to law enforcement officials”.

Absolutely all forms of gambling, whether practiced by locals or foreigners, are strictly prohibited in accordance with the country’s Islamic principles and Sharia law. The government has implemented rigorous laws and regulations to uphold this prohibition. The only exception is licensed free lotteries, but there are no state-regulated onshore operators for online gambling, also known as interactive gambling. Despite efforts to block access to interactive gambling sites, these restrictions are frequently bypassed. Despite the apparent interest in gambling, the legal landscape in Indonesia clearly prohibits such activities, with severe legal consequences and penalties for those who engage in them, regardless of age. Therefore, apart from licensed free lotteries, there are no legal avenues for gambling in Indonesia.

In other legal and regulatory developments, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has reported its actions against illegal gambling during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The investigation revealed that a total of 18 offshore services were operating in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

This worldwide effort against illegal gambling highlights the gravity of the issue and the necessity for coordinated international action. As nations like Indonesia and Australia persist in their crackdown on illegal online gambling, it is evident that this issue continues to pose a significant challenge for regulators globally. The establishment of the integrated task force in Indonesia marks a significant progression in the country’s ongoing endeavours to combat illegal online gambling. As the struggle against online gambling escalates, it will be intriguing to observe how these efforts develop and the impact they will have on the online gambling landscape in Indonesia and beyond.