Indonesia Forms Task Force to Combat Online Gambling

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo) is establishing a task force to combat online gambling, which is strictly prohibited across the country.

As reported by local media Bernama, the task force will include representatives from the Financial Services Authority (OJK), the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), and the police. It will also collaborate with Interpol to address international issues, given the government’s past challenges with blocking foreign operators.

Usman Kansong, Kominfo’s Director of Information and Public Communications, explained that Kominfo will manage digital oversight, OJK will oversee financial accounts, PPATK will monitor fund flows, and the police will handle arrests and investigations.

Minister Budi Arie emphasized that the Ministry has directed social media platforms, cellular operators, and internet service providers to refrain from promoting online gambling. He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment, stating, “We are fully dedicated. Earlier this week, I brought together all our teams at Kominfo to collaborate on eliminating online gambling.”

This task force is Indonesia’s latest effort to tackle online gambling, building on previous initiatives announced in 2012, which aimed to curb gambling activities amid concerns over local spending during the Euro 2012 football tournament.

Read: Indonesia Legislators’ Online Gambling Under Scrutiny

Source: IAG