Indonesia Enhances Online Gambling Regulations to Protect Youth

Under the proposed regulation, internet service providers will be required to implement consistent monitoring and risk management procedures to prevent their systems from being used for gambling purposes. This directive reflects the government's commitment to curb the escalating prominence of illegal online gambling networks. A pressing issue raised by Arifiyadi is the ease with which minors can access gambling platforms. He expressed concern over data indicating that "there are tens of thousands of children and teenagers engaged in online gambling," highlighting that many gambling websites lack adequate age verification mechanisms. The regulation is expected to mandate stricter controls to protect children and advocate for greater parental supervision over digital interactions and activities. Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid underscored this initiative by stating, "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." Rieke Diah Pitaloka, a notable figure from the House of Representatives, echoed these sentiments, advocating for rigorous penalties against officials and community figures participating in gambling activities as a means to mitigate their influence on societal behavior.

Bolstering Prevention and Rehabilitation Measures

Another vital component of this overhaul involves supporting victims of online gambling to prevent the risk of relapse and addiction. Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum, a Deputy at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, advocated for comprehensive rehabilitation programs, emphasizing that "if the victims are not rehabilitated well, they will come back to it (online gambling)." The proposed regulation is undergoing thorough review by the Ministry of Law, aiming to fortify both preventive and enforcement measures—a sentiment echoed by Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas, who stated, "This government regulation emphasizes the strengthening of prevention and enforcement against online gambling to be more maximal." The Indonesian government is further enhancing its initiatives against child exploitation and abuse, actively promoting a collaborative national campaign to combat violence against minors. Despite stringent prohibitions on gambling, participation rates continue to rise, with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) reporting that over 1.07 million Indonesians were involved in online gambling during the first quarter of 2025, a trend alarming considering that 71% of these individuals earned under IDR 5 million per month (about $315). To counteract this trend, measures have been implemented to block over 1.3 million gambling-related portals between October 2024 and May 2025. Violators are subject to severe penalties, including the risk of up to 10 years imprisonment and fines reaching 25 million rupiah. President Prabowo Subianto has publicly called for intensified prevention efforts to address this enduring challenge. Source: "Online gambling regulation to include mitigation efforts: ministry", en.antaranews.com, Jul 4, 2025. By GamesAndCasino