Indonesia Cracks Down on Illegal Online Gambling, Arrests 321 Individuals

Major Arrests in Indonesian Illegal Gambling Operation

Indonesian authorities recently carried out a significant crackdown on illegal gambling activities, resulting in the arrest of 321 individuals. The operation was announced by the police on Saturday, May 9, highlighting the government’s firm stance against unlawful gambling.

Targeting an International Gambling Network

The crackdown focused on a criminal syndicate running online casinos and sports betting platforms. Indonesia enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to unlicensed gambling activities. This commitment was further emphasized last year when the government removed millions of digital items linked to illegal gambling advertisements from the internet as part of efforts to curb unauthorized gambling growth.

Details of the Arrests and the Syndicate

The arrested individuals included 228 Vietnamese nationals and 57 Chinese nationals, along with suspects from Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos. Brigadier General Wira Satya Triputra of the Indonesian National Police stated that a large number of foreign nationals were involved in this illicit operation.

With a population of around 288 million people and almost no legal gambling venues due to religious and cultural reasons, illegal gambling rings have become prevalent in Indonesia. Gambling is widely regarded by the local religious tradition as morally wrong, which contributes to the government’s reluctance to legalize these activities.

Scope and Operations of the Gambling Ring

The busted network was found to be operating 75 different online gambling websites. However, these sites were not necessarily aimed at Indonesian players but instead used Indonesia as a base for targeting international markets. Evidence seized by police suggested that the ring was engaged in extensive overseas marketing efforts.

Ongoing Efforts to Combat Illegal Gambling

In late 2025, Indonesian authorities intensified their crackdown by freezing approximately 27,000 bank accounts associated with illegal gambling transactions. The government has pledged to continue this crackdown by identifying and shutting down additional payment networks and financial accounts used to support unauthorized gambling activities.