Indonesian authorities have frozen over RP154.3 billion linked to suspected online gambling operations, in its latest campaign against illegal digital betting platforms. The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency confirmed the funds were spread across 811 bank accounts, used to process bets or store proceeds from gambling activities. 

According to Senior Commissioner Ferdy Saragih, the action followed recommendations from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center, Indonesia’s anti-money laundering body.

“There is strong suspicion that the funds originated from online gambling activities,” Saragih said. “This will not be the last. Police will continue pursuing the perpetrators and networks behind these practices.”

Account Closures and Banking Oversight

The freeze was aimed at disrupting the financial infrastructure supporting online gambling. Earlier this month, the Financial Services Authority ordered banks to block nearly 26,000 accounts suspected of facilitating gambling transactions. Banks were also instructed to conduct due diligence by cross-checking account holders against Indonesia’s national ID system before closing flagged accounts.

According to PPATK, more than 25,000 accounts were flagged for gambling-related transactions between 2023 and July 2025, resulting in around RP1 trillion over the period. Officials argue that cutting off access to banking services is a highly effective way to disrupt the networks running these platforms.

Social and Economic Impact

Beyond financial crime, authorities claim the crackdown will protect communities from the harmful effects of gambling. Illegal online betting, they argue, disproportionately affects low-income households, pushing families deeper into debt. “This is part of our commitment to cleaning up the digital space from illegal practices,” Saragih said.

Government officials have consistently tied gambling operations to social harms, including rising household indebtedness and exposure of minors through unregulated online platforms. Regulators can stem the spread of digital betting by targeting operators and the financial channels supporting them. 

A Debate on Controlled Legalization

The latest actions come against the backdrop of an ongoing debate about the future of gambling regulation in Indonesia. While online betting remains fully prohibited, some academics have floated the idea of controlled legalization for foreign visitors.

Recently, Vidya Ramadhan, an academic at STIE Ekuitas, proposed allowing casinos in designated tourist zones such as Batam or Bali. Under her proposal, gambling would be strictly regulated and restricted to non-Indonesian visitors, with the goal of capturing revenue while shielding local communities from harm.

However, the government remains firm in its prohibitionist stance. Enforcement efforts intensify in the country, account freezes, digital platform monitoring, and industry partnerships form the core of the campaign.