Jakarta – The government is intensifying regulations to curb the growing problem of online gambling (judol) in Indonesia.
One of the key measures being pushed is tightening the rules regarding prepaid SIM cards and passport issuance, which have often been exploited by online gambling perpetrators. This effort aims to close the loopholes frequently used in these illegal practices.
Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sumail Abdullah, highlighted the ease of obtaining prepaid SIM cards without strict identity verification as one of the main factors contributing to the rise of online gambling. He stressed that the circulation of prepaid SIM cards that can be purchased with fake identities must be tightened.
“Many people’s identities are misused for online gambling. If the SIM card registration system is made stricter, the movements of online gambling perpetrators can be limited,” he said.
He also criticized mobile operators who are seen as prioritizing profit over helping eradicate online gambling.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi) continues to block online gambling sites and applications. Director-General for Digital Space Oversight at Kemkomdigi, Alexander Sabar, revealed that from 2017 to January 2025, the ministry had handled over five million online gambling-related contents.
“From 2017 to January 21, 2025, Kemkomdigi has handled 5,707,952 online gambling contents,” he stated.
The majority of this content is spread across social media platforms, especially on platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
In addition to blocking, the government is collaborating with various digital platforms to enhance oversight and expedite the removal of online gambling-related content. Kemkomdigi is also working with law enforcement agencies to take action against those attempting to spread gambling sites.
Furthermore, the government is tightening passport issuance procedures to limit the mobility of online gambling perpetrators. The Subdirector for Immigration Control at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Novan Indriyanto, emphasized that the ministry is being more selective with passport applicants who intend to travel to countries like Cambodia, known for being a hub for illegal online gambling activities.
“If there are applicants wishing to travel to countries with many online gambling perpetrators, we will be more cautious during verification,” he explained.
With these various measures, the government hopes to more effectively combat online gambling practices and protect society from its negative impacts. These actions are expected to deter offenders and narrow the operating space for online gambling networks in Indonesia.
