A team of 150 specialists in Indonesia is operating around the clock, seven days a week, to locate and block online gambling platforms targeting players in the Southeast Asian country.
The information was revealed by Deputy Minister Nezar Patria from the Indonesian Communication and Informatics Ministry (Kominfo). During a press briefing highlighting the ministry’s efforts, Patria revealed that this dedicated team is working from the ministry’s headquarter and uses advanced tools like artificial intelligence and web crawler software to find and block illegal gambling websites.
Since July 2022, the ministry has successfully blocked access to approximately 1.5 million websites hosting online gambling content, demonstrating a proactive approach to safeguarding Indonesia’s digital space.
Patria emphasized the importance of collaboration with digital platform operators like Meta and X to remove negative digital content, including online gambling materials, from their platforms. In instances where such content persists, the ministry takes appropriate action and has already reprimanded Meta and X for their apparent lack of oversight.
To disrupt the financial operations of online gambling developers, Kominfo also collaborates closely with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) of Indonesia to block associated bank accounts. Additionally, cooperation with the National Police (Polri) facilitates the tracking and apprehension of individuals involved in online gambling activities.
Patria shed light on the global nature of the online gambling industry, noting that many developers are based abroad, particularly in countries like Cambodia and Myanmar. Despite residing overseas, these developers often recruit Indonesian nationals to operate gambling sites, exploiting their talents for illegal purposes.
In conclusion, Patria reaffirmed the Indonesian government’s determination to tackle the scourge of online gambling, highlighting ongoing efforts to safeguard Indonesia’s digital landscape and protect its citizens from the adverse effects of illicit gambling activities.
