Government Proactively Prevents the Spread of Online Gambling
JAKARTA – The government continues to demonstrate proactive steps in eradicating the spread of online gambling which is increasingly disturbing the public.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Space (Kemkomdigi) considers online gambling to be a serious threat that requires full attention.
The Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, emphasized that the government will not remain silent in facing this problem.
“This effort is carried out through collaboration with various digital platforms. Of the total content that has been blocked, 807,587 came from websites and IP addresses,” said Meutya Hafid.
In addition to blocking online gambling sites, Kemkomdigi will begin to impose administrative sanctions on Private User-Generated Content (PSE UGC) Electronic System Organizers starting February 1, 2025.
The sanctions are given to platforms that do not comply with the obligation to terminate access to illegal content.
“We will give sanctions to those who do not comply with these obligations,” added Meutya.
To support the enforcement of this regulation, Kemkomdigi utilizes the Content Moderation Compliance System (SAMAN).
Platforms that fail to moderate online gambling content will be subject to gradual sanctions, ranging from warnings to large fines.
The Ministry of Finance also supports this policy with the Online PNBP Information System (SIMPONI) which allows fines to go directly to the state treasury.
A member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sumail Abdullah, also gave his full support to this government move. He suggested that the government tighten the sale of prepaid SIM cards which have so far been a loophole for online gamblers.
“Tighten the sale of prepaid SIM cards that can be purchased with fake data, which are ready to use using someone else’s identity that is misused for online gambling,” said Sumail Abdullah.
The Gerindra Party politician added that if the regulation of prepaid SIM cards is carried out strictly, online gambling activities can be minimized significantly.
“I am sure that if prepaid SIM cards are regulated, then this online gambling problem will be resolved soon,” he said.
On the other hand, the Director General of Digital Space Supervision of the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital, Alexander Sabar, revealed that his party had handled more than five million online gambling content since 2017 to January 2025.
He added that Kemkomdigi has also collaborated with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) to further investigate the flow of funds related to online gambling activities.
“We have requested assistance from PPATK in tracing the flow of funds,” concluded Alexander.