Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has sounded the alarm over the country’s growing online gambling problem, revealing that the nation is losing approximately US$8 billion each year due to illicit betting activity. Addressing global leaders at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in South Korea, Prabowo described the situation as a direct threat to Indonesia’s economic resilience and social stability.
He called for stronger regional cooperation among APEC economies to combat transnational crimes such as online gambling, corruption, and digital fraud. The president emphasized that the damage caused by online gambling extends beyond financial losses, undermining moral and social structures in communities across the country.
In response, the Indonesian government has intensified its crackdown. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs and the Financial Services Authority have already frozen over 23,000 bank accounts tied to gambling activities, while welfare recipients caught participating in gambling have had their benefits suspended.
Authorities are now turning to AI-driven detection systems and integrated databases to track gambling-related transactions more effectively. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) estimates that without enhanced enforcement, gambling-related losses could rise to IDR 1,000 trillion ($63 billion) by the end of 2025.
Prabowo’s call for global solidarity in digital security and economic protection highlights Indonesia’s determination to defend its financial systems and citizens from illicit networks. The government’s use of advanced technology and strict regulatory measures represents a decisive step toward curbing the country’s gambling surge and safeguarding its economic future.
