He also revealed during the meeting that financial transactions linked to online gambling in the republic had reached IDR101 trillion or USD7.04 billion in the first quarter of 2024.

Commission III’s deputy chairman Habiburokhman highlighted the societal and legal implications, mentioning potential criminal charges under Indonesian law for participants in online gambling.

He added that the DPR is considering both preventive and punitive measures to address the issue while recognising the critical role of PPATK in financial intelligence.

The Indonesian government is intensifying efforts to tackle the growing issue of online gambling, appointing Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto to lead a task force addressing the problem.

Gambling is strictly prohibited under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law in Indonesia.

Distributors or facilitators of online gambling could face up to six years in prison and a fine of one billion rupiah, approximately USD69,000.

Players caught participating can be sentenced to a maximum of four years in prison or fined up to IDR10 million, about USD690, under the Criminal Code.