With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Indonesia’s National Police (Polri) have issued a high-level warning regarding a predicted surge in illegal online gambling activity.
The concern is particularly acute this year as Indonesia makes its historic debut in the tournament, a milestone expected to drive unprecedented levels of public excitement and, consequently, illicit wagering.
Zero Tolerance for Illegal Betting
Brigadier General of Polri, Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, raised the alarm during a press conference at the TVRI building, where the state broadcaster was announced as the official rights holder. Trunoyudo emphasized that the police must be vigilant to ensure the tournament is not misused for illegal acts. Under Articles 303 and 303bis of the Penal Code, gambling remains strictly prohibited, with penalties ranging from five to ten years of imprisonment and massive fines.
The Indonesian government has already taken proactive steps, blacklisting over one million gambling websites and instructing banks to block more than 33,000 suspicious accounts. Despite these efforts, the grey market continues to thrive via VPNs, local e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies. A recent study indicated that 19% of World Cup fans intended to place their first-ever online bet during the tournament, representing a major acquisition window for offshore syndicates.
Enforcement and Transnational Syndicates
The crackdown is already in full swing. On May 9, police arrested 321 foreigners in Jakarta who were operating 75 illegal betting websites. Authorities noted a growing trend of transnational syndicates migrating from Cambodia and Myanmar into Indonesia. Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid reaffirmed the government’s stance:
“[The government will take a] zero-tolerance policy towards operators preying on children and increase its efforts in terms of digital surveillance and prosecution.”
Polri has opened a dedicated complaint platform in coordination with TVRI to help the public report illegal activities and avoid common ticket scams associated with the tournament.
