Indonesia is dealing with a fast growing problem of online gambling. The Ministry of Communication and Digital said that online gambling deposits reached about Rp 17 trillion from January to June 2025. This means illegal gambling websites and apps are still working, even as the government tries to block them. Officials warn that this issue is becoming a big threat to the economy, young people’s safety, and public order.

Director of Digital Space Control Safriansyah Yanwar Rosyadi said the huge number of gambling transactions is a real threat that must be handled quickly. The ministry has already taken down more than 7.2 million items of content linked to gambling this year. But new platforms keep appearing because criminals are always trying to find new ways to operate.

Massive Cash Flow and Growing Technology Abuse

The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre said online gambling transactions from 2017 to early 2025 reached about Rp 927 trillion, showing how big the illegal market is. Criminals use weak rules to move money and avoid the law. Police have seized almost Rp 925 billion in assets in the last two years. Some Indonesians were also tricked into working for gambling sites abroad and were treated badly.

Officials say online gambling is now also a national security risk. Criminals use technology like cryptocurrency, QR codes and e wallets to hide their money, which makes it difficult for the government to track the transactions. They say the government must take stricter steps to stop these networks and keep the country safe.

Poor Households Hit the Hardest

Many online gamblers come from low income families. Erika from the Coordinating Ministry for Politics, Law and Security reported that 70 percent of online gamblers earn less than Rp 5 million per month. A large number of them are also receiving welfare money from the government. In July alone, more than 600,000 people who get social assistance were found to be spending money on gambling.

The government reacted by stopping their welfare benefits right away. Officials say that online gambling can make poor families fall even deeper into financial problems and destroy family relationships.

Stronger National Strategy in Progress

Indonesia is creating a stronger plan to fight illegal online gambling. The plan includes three main steps. First, closing gambling websites. Second, improving online monitoring to stop new sites. Third, blocking gambling money transactions so the operators cannot make profit.

Regulators are also working to improve cooperation between different ministries and law enforcement groups. They are planning to use artificial intelligence to detect gambling content faster.

Government officials are calling on the public to stay away from gambling and help protect vulnerable communities from the harm it can cause.