Indonesia Detains 321 Individuals in Crackdown on Illegal Online Gambling

(AsiaGameHub) –   In a significant crackdown on illegal online gambling, Indonesian authorities have apprehended 321 individuals, police announced on Saturday, May 9.

The operation targeted a criminal syndicate involved in operating online casinos and sports betting platforms, reflecting Indonesia’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal gambling.

This intensified effort follows a similar move last September, where millions of digital items associated with illegal gambling promotions were removed from the internet, underscoring the nation’s commitment to curbing the spread of unauthorized online gambling activities.

Indonesia Cracks Down Hard on Illegal Gambling Ring

Among those arrested were 228 Vietnamese nationals and 57 Chinese nationals, with additional suspects identified from Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos.

Brigadier General Wira Satya Triputra of the Indonesian National Police detailed the operation, confirming the arrest of hundreds of foreign nationals in connection with the illegal gambling ring.

Given Indonesia’s substantial population of 288 million and a near absence of legal gambling options, large-scale criminal operations of this nature have become prevalent. The country’s religious traditions, which consider games of chance to be sinful, contribute to its reluctance to legalize gambling.

The recently dismantled criminal network was responsible for 75 online gambling websites that facilitated various betting activities. These websites were not exclusively focused on the Indonesian market.

Instead, the syndicate utilized Indonesia as a hub for its operations, with marketing materials seized by law enforcement indicating a focus on overseas geolocations.

In a related action in late 2025, Indonesian authorities also targeted financial accounts, leading to the closure of approximately 27,000 accounts linked to gambling activities. Indonesia has pledged to continue these efforts by shutting down additional payment networks and accounts used for illegal gambling.