Authorities in Indonesia plan to fight offshore gambling operators through a wide-ranging task force across multiple ministries and government agencies. According to GGRAsia, the country may recruit the International Criminal Police Organization, or Interpol, to partner on cross-border cases.
In a statement from the country’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, or Kominfo, in October 2023 officials found that computer servers in the Philippines and Cambodia were courting Indonesian players. Data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) indicates that up to 3.2 million people in the Muslim country gamble online.
To date, per the Malaysian National News Agency, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Kominfo have been unsuccessful in blocking the offshore industry. The new task force would be overseen by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs with help from law enforcement.
“Kominfo will oversee the digital space, OJK will manage accounts, PPATK will handle fund flows, and the police will carry out arrest and investigation duties,” said Usman Kansong, Kominfo information and public communication director.
In a separate statement, Hadi Tjahjanto, coordinating minister of Politics, Law and Security Affairs, said he is concerned that unchecked online gambling can be accessed by children.
