The government of Indonesia has significantly intensified its crackdown on illegal online gambling, removing over 2.1 million gambling-related online posts between July 2023 and the end of August 2025.
This massive content removal operation is part of a broader, multi-faceted strategy of the government of Indonesia to eradicate illegal online gambling from the country.
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics has been at the forefront of this effort, working to identify and block access to gambling websites and associated content.
In addition to the content takedowns, the government has taken decisive action against the financial infrastructure supporting these illegal operations.
The Financial Services Authority has successfully blocked over 5,000 bank accounts that were found to be facilitating online gambling transactions, aiming to disrupt the flow of funds to and from these illicit sites.
The crackdown has been personally championed by President Joko Widodo, who has issued a clear directive to establish an integrated task force dedicated to combating online gambling.
This task force will coordinate the efforts of various government agencies to ensure a more comprehensive and effective approach to tackling the problem. President Widodo has also made a direct appeal to the public, urging citizens to avoid gambling and to report any illegal gambling activities to the authorities.
He emphasized the severe personal and societal harm caused by gambling, warning that it can lead to financial ruin, family breakdown, and an increase in criminal activity.
This renewed and aggressive stance reflects the Indonesian government’s growing concern over the social and economic impact of illegal online gambling.
By combining content removal, financial disruption, and a high-level government task force, Indonesia is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate these activities.
The large-scale operation underscores the significant challenge that online gambling poses to regulators in jurisdictions where it is prohibited.
