Jakarta – Cross-border online gambling has become a serious concern in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. This transnational crime continues to thrive by exploiting digital technology and complex international networks. The negative impact of online gambling is not only detrimental to the individuals involved, but it also affects the national economy and contributes to an increase in money laundering cases.
In order to address this issue, ASEAN countries have agreed to strengthen cross-border cooperation in fighting online gambling, which has become increasingly disturbing to the public.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, stated that the government has established an Online Gambling Eradication Desk, which is tasked with coordinating various efforts to combat this crime.
“The joint desk will continue to enforce the law and track the financial flows from online gambling activities involving various parties,” said Budi Gunawan.
He emphasized that international coordination is crucial to target money laundering activities that are often used by online gambling networks to conceal their illegal profits.
Furthermore, technological approaches to detect and prevent online gambling are being enhanced.
The Head of the Criminal Investigation Agency (Kabareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police, Commissioner General Wahyu Widada, added that one of the key focuses of the online gambling eradication effort is asset tracing.
By tracking assets obtained from these illegal activities, law enforcement can freeze and confiscate funds used to operate the gambling networks. This step is deemed essential to cut off the illegal business chains that continue to grow rapidly in the digital era.
In strengthening the eradication efforts, the Head of the International Relations Division (Kadiv Hubinter) of the National Police, Inspector General Krishna Murti, revealed that the Indonesian Police (Polri) has established strategic cooperation with Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies.
“Polri has established strategic cooperation with Interpol through the Senior Officer Meeting on Transnational Crime held in Laos,” said Krishna Murti.
The two-star general added that the cooperation discussions include the exchange of information to identify, track, and take action against online gambling perpetrators operating in Indonesia.
Moreover, this cooperation is not limited to Interpol, but also involves the police forces of neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.
“We are collaborating with neighboring countries to take firm action against these international online gambling networks,” he asserted.