Government Consistently Monitors the Digital Space to Limit Online Gambling Promotion Content
By: Wahyu Bima Prasetyo
The Indonesian government has shown serious commitment to eradicating the rampant spread of online gambling in the digital space. Various strategic measures have been taken by the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kemkomdigi) to curb these illegal activities.
BSSN revealed that the detection of online gambling content, especially on government websites, is carried out with intensive monitoring 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This monitoring includes domain and sub-domain checks using docking techniques on Google to track URLs potentially linked to online gambling. Additionally, regular patrols on the dark web and deep web are also conducted to identify suspicious activities that could be harmful.
In its efforts, BSSN detected 376 URLs related to online gambling throughout 2025 from 78 government institutions. Most of these URLs have already been blocked, although 112 of them are still in the process of being deactivated. Furthermore, 78 cases of website defacement on government sites were found, with most of them involving the insertion of hidden online gambling URLs within the site’s code. BSSN explained that perpetrators often infiltrate government sites to insert illegal links that are difficult to detect directly because the site appears normal.
As part of the solution, BSSN identified 3,908 URLs from government domains affected by online gambling content. The next step is to collaborate with Kemkomdigi to block these sites. To date, most URLs have been successfully deactivated, although ongoing monitoring is required to prevent similar problems in the future.
On the other hand, Kemkomdigi also plays a key role in monitoring the digital space. According to an evaluation by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), online gambling transactions in Indonesia showed a significant decline throughout 2024. Quarterly data indicated that transactions in the first quarter amounted to IDR 21 trillion, which dropped to IDR 16 trillion in the second quarter, and then drastically decreased to IDR 4 trillion in the third quarter.
Kemkomdigi explained that this reduction reflects the effectiveness of the government’s monitoring and eradication measures against online gambling. The handling of this issue is based on three key regulations: Law No. 1 of 2024 on the Second Amendment to the Information and Electronic Transactions Law (UU ITE), Government Regulation No. 71 of 2019 on the Implementation of Electronic Systems and Transactions, and Ministerial Regulation No. 5 of 2020 on Electronic System Organizers in the Private Sector.
Kemkomdigi has implemented several steps to combat online gambling, such as monitoring and blocking access to related websites and apps, as well as using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to filter and verify illegal content. Additionally, phone numbers and instant messaging apps suspected of being used for online gambling transactions are also proposed for blocking.
Since 2017 until early 2025, Kemkomdigi has handled over 5.7 million online gambling contents. This achievement is supported by the high integrity of the team involved. Every staff member is required to sign an integrity pact, and periodic assessments are conducted to ensure the effectiveness of their work and alignment with the government’s vision of creating a safe digital space.
According to Kemkomdigi, digital space monitoring also involves providing technical training and direct oversight of internet service providers to ensure synchronization with the trustpositif database. This step aims to minimize potential leaks and enhance the resilience of Indonesia’s digital infrastructure.
However, despite the various steps that have been taken, challenges remain. Online gambling perpetrators continue to innovate in finding loopholes to carry out their activities. Therefore, the government believes there is a need to increase public digital literacy so that people are more aware of the dangers of online gambling and can report suspicious activities.
The government’s success in reducing online gambling transactions is a tangible example that strict monitoring and the application of technology can have a significant impact. The reduction in transactions from IDR 21 trillion to IDR 4 trillion in less than a year reflects that the strategic measures taken are on the right track.
Nevertheless, this success should serve as motivation to strengthen efforts moving forward. Inter-agency collaboration, regulatory reinforcement, and the enhancement of technological infrastructure must continue to ensure that Indonesia’s digital space remains free from criminal activities.
What has been done by BSSN and Kemkomdigi is a concrete example of how the government, with strong commitment, can face significant challenges like online gambling. With the support of the public and relevant parties, Indonesia can continue to fight for a healthy, safe, and productive digital space.
The author is a Social Policy Analyst at Madani Institute Social Organization
