Indonesia Drafts Stricter Online Gambling Rules to Safeguard Youth

Indonesia is finalizing a sweeping regulation to clamp down on online gambling, with a strong emphasis on child protection, platform accountability, and preventive measures. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs revealed the draft Government Regulation on Online Gambling Eradication, which outlines stricter penalties and clearer responsibilities for tech and financial service providers.

Teguh Arifiyadi, Director for Certification and Electronic Transaction Supervision at the ministry, stated the regulation will hold accountable all entities that directly or indirectly enable online gambling — including internet service providers, financial technology firms, and digital platforms. Law enforcement agencies will also be involved.

“The sanction will be even heavier, and all will be regulated in the government regulation,” Arifiyadi said during a recent press conference.

Platforms and ISPs to Face Higher Compliance Standards

The regulation will require ISPs to implement ongoing monitoring and risk mitigation systems, aimed at preventing their infrastructure from being misused for gambling activities. These responsibilities reflect the government's push to curb the rising reach of illegal online gambling operations.

A major concern highlighted by Arifiyadi is the accessibility of gambling platforms to minors. “We can see from the data that there are tens of thousands of children and teenagers engaged in online gambling,” he said, pointing out that most gambling sites lack age verification.

The regulation is expected to introduce child safety mandates and emphasize parental oversight. Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid stressed, “Children are now growing up in a digital space that is not always safe. Protecting them requires cooperation from all parties, starting from the government, digital platforms, to parents at home.”

Sanctions for Public Officials, Rehabilitation for Victims

Rieke Diah Pitaloka, a member of Commission VI of the House of Representatives (DPR), urged the government to impose stricter sanctions on officials and community leaders who engage in online gambling, given their influence on public behavior.

Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum, Deputy at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, stressed the importance of supporting victims. “The victims often become addicted and need rehabilitation. This is important… if the victims are not rehabilitated well, they will come back to it (online gambling),” she said.

Currently under review by the Ministry of Law, the draft regulation aims to strengthen both prevention and enforcement. “This government regulation emphasises the strengthening of prevention and enforcement against online gambling to be more maximal,” said Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas.

Broader Efforts to Address Child Exploitation

In tandem with its anti-gambling efforts, the government has reactivated its national campaign to prevent violence against children.

“We remind all parties of the importance of collaboration to answer challenges related to sexual violence, and violence against children in general,” she said, urging the business sector and community groups to join the effort.

Despite strict gambling bans, participation continues to rise. According to PPATK, more than 1.07 million Indonesians gambled online in Q1 2025, with 71% earning less than IDR 5 million per month (about $315).

To combat this, the government blocked over 1.3 million gambling-related links between October 2024 and May 2025. Offenders can face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 25 million rupiah. President Prabowo Subianto has called for stronger prevention.

Source:

“Online gambling regulation to include mitigation efforts: ministry”, en.antaranews.com, Jul 4, 2025