Government Successfully Reduces Transaction Deposit Figures, Real Steps to Eradicate Online Gambling
By: Aldo Setiawan Fikri )*
The government continues to show its seriousness in combating online gambling practices that are increasingly disturbing the public. One real indicator of the success of this effort can be seen from the drastic decline in the number of online gambling deposits in the first quarter of 2025. Based on data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), during the period from January to March 2025, the total value of deposits for online gambling only reached IDR 6.2 trillion. This figure is much lower compared to the same period the previous year which reached IDR 15 trillion.
Head of PPATK, Ivan Yustiavandana, said that the decline was real evidence of the hard work of various parties involved in eradicating online gambling. He explained that previously, people deposited very large amounts of money just to gamble online. Now, thanks to synergy between institutions and consistent action, this practice is starting to be suppressed. Ivan emphasized that this achievement is an important foundation for continuing more aggressive steps in breaking the chain of the online gambling economy.
Ivan explained that during the first quarter of 2025, there were around 1,066,000 individuals registered as online gamblers. Of that number, around 71 percent came from low-income groups, namely under IDR 5 million per month. He regretted that money that should have been used for essential needs was instead used for gambling, indicating a socio-economic condition that was exploited by the perpetrators of this illicit business.
Even more concerning, PPATK also found that hundreds of online gamblers came from the age group under 17 years. The number reached 400 people, a danger signal about the increasing ease of access for children to online gambling platforms. In addition, the 20-30 year age group recorded the highest number of players, namely 396,000 people, followed by the 31-40 year age group which reached 395,000 players. This shows that online gambling has targeted the entire productive age range in Indonesia.
Ivan also highlighted the areas with the highest online gambling activity. The five regions that recorded the most transactions were West Java, DKI Jakarta, Central Java, Banten, and East Java. Interestingly, DKI Jakarta’s position rose drastically from fifth place last year to second place this year. This increase indicates a change in the trend of player locations that also needs to be anticipated with more adaptive and local policies.
To strengthen eradication efforts, PPATK continues to collaborate across sectors with various state agencies. Ivan emphasized that his party will continue to strive to suppress this illegal practice with firm and indiscriminate action. He is optimistic that through strong coordination and commitment, this effort can protect the community from the economic and social impacts of online gambling.
On the other hand, the police are also not sitting idly by. The Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police recently succeeded in arresting two perpetrators of online gambling money laundering with the initials OHW and H. This arrest was the result of an intensive investigation involving coordination between investigators and PPATK, starting from the discovery of suspicious transactions that led to online gambling practices.
Head of Criminal Investigation Unit, Commissioner General of Police Wahyu Widada explained that the two suspects used shell companies to disguise the flow of funds from online gambling since 2019. They founded and managed PT AST and its subsidiary, PT TGC, which operates in the information technology sector as a cover. Through these companies, the suspects facilitated payments for various online gambling sites such as ArenaSlot77, Royal77VIP, and Togel77, using a digital payment gateway system.
The funds collected from the players were converted to the company’s account, then transferred to the suspects’ personal accounts. Wahyu revealed that the funds were not only stored, but also re-circulated to make it difficult for investigators to track them, through layering techniques and the use of accounts in other people’s names (nominees). This action is clearly an attempt to avoid legal entanglement by disguising the source of the illicit funds.
In uncovering this case, the authorities managed to confiscate more than IDR 530 billion spread across 4,656 accounts from 22 banks. In addition to cash, securities, bonds worth Rp276.5 billion, and four luxury cars, including one Mercedes Benz and three BYDs, were also confiscated. Not only that, the police also froze 197 additional accounts belonging to the suspects in eight different banks.
Both have been detained and charged with serious articles in Law Number 8 of 2010 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering. They face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of up to Rp5 billion. The legal process that is being carried outn is expected to provide a deterrent effect and serve as a strong warning to other perpetrators.
The government considers that online gambling practices not only harm individuals financially, but also weaken the social and economic resilience of society. Therefore, the success in reducing the number of deposits and dismantling this money laundering network deserves to be appreciated as a step forward.
From these various developments, the public is urged to participate in supporting efforts to eradicate online gambling. Public participation in the form of reporting suspicious activities, educating the younger generation, and rejecting all forms of digital gambling is urgently needed. Together, society and the government can build a healthier social system, free from the trap of gambling that erodes the future of the nation.
)* Macroeconomic Analyst – Sentra Ekonomi Nusantara (SEN)
