Indonesia’s government has warned that nearly 200,000 children in the country have been exposed to online gambling, as authorities intensify efforts to combat illegal gambling activity and its social consequences.
Speaking at an anti-online gambling forum in Medan on Wednesday, Meutya Hafid, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, said the figure included around 80,000 children under the age of 10.
The minister described the situation as a serious threat to the country’s future generations. “Online gambling is a scam with a system designed to ensure players almost always lose in the long run,” Hafid said.
Indonesia prohibits all forms of gambling under its criminal code, and authorities have in recent years stepped up enforcement efforts against offshore online gambling operators and related promotional activity targeting Indonesian users. Hafid said combating online gambling required more than simply blocking websites and conducting enforcement operations, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and public awareness campaigns.
“We are not just blocking access or taking down sites. The most important thing is reaching the wider public with these facts so that awareness grows from within families and communities,” she said. The minister also raised concerns about the wider social impact of online gambling, particularly on women and children. According to Hafid, some families have reportedly experienced financial collapse and domestic violence linked to gambling addiction among family members.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has continued efforts to block gambling-related websites and content, but Hafid said stronger cooperation was needed across government agencies, law enforcement bodies and digital platform operators.
She also warned that online gambling advertising on social media platforms had become increasingly aggressive in targeting Indonesian users. The ministry has urged major digital platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, to take more proactive measures in removing gambling-related content. “Online gambling is banned in Indonesia. All parties must share the same moral and legal responsibility,” Hafid said.
The minister also called on religious leaders, community organizations and families to act as the first line of defense against the spread of online gambling.
