Indonesia Freezes 1,000 Bank Accounts in Ongoing Anti-Gambling Crackdown

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Indonesia has frozen an additional 1,000 bank accounts linked to online gambling as part of a sustained campaign against the practice in the country, which has some of the strictest anti-gambling laws in the world.

Under Indonesia’s 1974 Control of Gambling Law, all forms of gambling are prohibited as contrary to the country’s religious and national values, with the stated aim of eliminating the practice entirely in Indonesia. However, the remote nature of online gambling has made enforcement more complex. 

Online betting was banned in Indonesia in 2024. Bets using digital assets have also since been banned. Indonesia’s Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) reported a nearly 50% reduction in online gambling transactions last year, totaling RP 47 trillion (approx. US$2.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, down from RP 90 trillion (US$5.3 billion) in the first quarter of 2024. 

Authorities also blocked more than 1.3 million pieces of online gambling content and moved to restrict payment channels, including e-wallets.

A total of 33,252 accounts tied to online gambling have now been blocked by banks at the request of Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) since 2024. 

Despite the decline in activity and significant penalties, including up to five years in prison, iGB reports that underground gambling is still widespread. PPATK recorded 422.1 million online gambling transactions last year, with deposits totaling RP36.01 trillion (approx. US$2.1 billion).