Indonesia Leverages AI to Combat Online Gambling Surge
Indonesia has ramped up efforts to tackle illegal online gambling by employing artificial intelligence (AI) as a key tool in its crackdown. In October alone, the government blocked 380,000 gambling-related websites under the leadership of newly elected President Prabowo Subianto.
Following the October elections, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics was rebranded as the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, marking a strategic shift towards digital governance. Newly appointed minister Meutya Hafid introduced a 100-day action plan with four priorities:
- Strengthening personal data protection,
- Digitising public services,
- Eliminating online gambling,
- Creating child-safe internet environments.
The government reports that, as of October 20, over 380,000 websites, 300,000 illegal IP addresses, and thousands of gambling ads on platforms like Meta, Google, and Twitter have been removed. Hafid emphasised that AI-driven “digital patrols” play a vital role in this effort.
Financial systems are also under scrutiny. The vice governor of the Bank of Indonesia, Juda Agung, stated that payment service providers, both banking and non-banking, are required to implement fraud detection systems to identify accounts used for gambling transactions.
Despite these efforts, online gambling remains pervasive in Indonesia. ABC Asia reported that Indonesian gamblers lost an estimated IDR 327 trillion (€19.5 billion) in 2023, equating to 1.5% of the nation’s GDP. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) highlighted that online gambling platforms generated IDR 283 trillion this year, with significant portions of the funds transferred abroad.
Government officials have expressed concern about the social impact of gambling. Muhaimin Iskandar, Minister of Community Empowerment, referred to online gambling as a “social disaster,” while Education Minister Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro revealed that 960,000 online gamblers are students, with 80,000 under the age of 10.
Indonesia’s two-pronged strategy combines digital surveillance of internet activity and financial transactions with public awareness campaigns. Officials stress the need for community education to curb the lure of online gambling and prevent fraud. These initiatives signal the country’s commitment to tackling the issue, though challenges remain as gambling continues to thrive.
