By: Arman Panggabean
Efforts to eradicate online gambling in Indonesia are no longer merely technical or limited to blocking digital access. The government, together with several financial institutions and regulators, recognizes that addressing this issue requires a comprehensive strategy involving educational approaches and sustained cross-sector collaboration. The threat of online gambling not only endangers the financial stability of individuals but also has the potential to undermine public trust in the national financial system.
Dian Ediana Rae, the Chief Executive of Banking Supervision at the Financial Services Authority (OJK), emphasizes that eradicating online gambling cannot be done by one or two institutions in isolation. According to her, isolated approaches—such as relying solely on OJK’s blocking of accounts or actions by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Komdigi)—will not be effective. She believes that optimal handling requires solid inter-agency synergy and a massive educational campaign targeting the public.
Furthermore, Dian explains that in addition to repressive measures like blocking accounts, OJK has initiated cooperation with regional governments and banking institutions to conduct public education. This outreach aims to prevent people from being tempted to engage in harmful online gambling practices by providing clear understanding of the legal, social, and financial risks involved. This educational effort is expected to address the root causes—namely, the low levels of digital and financial literacy among some segments of society.
On the technical side, OJK has also started intensive communication with compliance directors of various banks to formulate a systemic strategy for identifying and breaking the flow of funds linked to online gambling. According to Dian, one challenge in this process is refining parameters to detect accounts potentially used for illegal activities. Nevertheless, the banking sector remains active in monitoring suspicious transactions, including cyber patrols and analysis of dormant accounts that could be exploited by criminals.
Customer accounts, whether active or inactive, can be blocked if suspected of being used for illegal activities. Dian explains that such actions align with the term “suspicious transactions” as defined by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), or “illegal activities” according to OJK’s terminology. This indicates there is a clear legal basis for preventive measures against misuse of the financial system.
Moreover, Dian stresses that amid efforts to eradicate online gambling, the government and regulators remain committed to maintaining public trust in the national financial system. She asserts that no loopholes in the system should be left open for online gambling operators to resume their activities. Therefore, OJK continuously evaluates existing regulations to ensure every gap is closed and the system operates optimally to detect and counter illegal activities.
Concrete steps have also been taken. Based on data from Komdigi, OJK has instructed banks to block around 17,000 accounts suspected of being used for online gambling activities. Beyond blocking, OJK has also requested banks to match these accounts with population identity data to trace potential wider networks. This process is known as enhanced due diligence, an advanced investigative method concerning customers and their financial transactions.
These supervisory steps align with actions taken by PPATK. This agency has even temporarily suspended 28,000 dormant accounts during 2024, based on data received from banking institutions. Ivan Yustiavandana, Head of PPATK, states that these actions are conducted in accordance with Law Number 8 of 2010 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering Crimes. According to him, the suspension of these accounts is part of the National Movement to Prevent and Eradicate Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, carried out jointly with relevant stakeholders.
Ivan’s statement confirms that the issue of online gambling is not merely a matter of ordinary legal violations but is also closely related to the potential for money laundering and financing of other crimes. Therefore, the response must be holistic and integrated, not merely surface-level enforcement.
One important aspect that must be emphasized from this entire series of initiatives is the necessity of continuously building public awareness. Online gambling grows rapidly because it exploits gaps in public behavior where digital risk awareness is still lacking. With increasing access to technology, those without adequate digital and financial literacy become easy targets for online gambling operators. Hence, public education is the main long-term weapon in prevention efforts.
The government and financial institutions must consistently expand anti-online gambling campaigns through various platforms, whether in schools, workplaces, or social media. Educational narratives that address psychological, social, and economic aspects need to be promoted to foster collective awareness that gambling is not a solution but the beginning of economic downfall for individuals and families.
With a synergistic approach between enforcement and education, supported by adaptive regulations, the government shows clear commitment to tackling the latent dangers of online gambling. Not only by blocking accounts or freezing transactions, but also by building societal resilience from within. This effort is indeed not instantaneous, but with continuity, the results will be much stronger in safeguarding the nation’s integrity from the threat of digital crimes.
*) Social Policy Observer – Madani Institute for Social Studies
