Golkar Politicians Propose Kasino To Be An Alternative Source Of PNBP

Photo illustration. (Doc. Pexels)

The government's discourse to review the legalization of casinos as a new object of non-tax state revenue (PNBP), is still a public discussion, and economists are also highlighted.

Director of Economic Digital Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) Nailul Huda assessed that the legalization of this casino will definitely not be far from state revenue. Where if legalized, the state will receive revenue from non-tax state revenues (PNBP).

Even when the casino is legalized, said Nailul Huda, it must still be considered the further effects of this legalization. So, he said, it is very possible that people with mediocre income will try their luck by playing casinos.

"This must be closely monitored. Because we should not let online gambling, which we have been fighting against, also ask for legalization. In fact, it will be even more dangerous when online gambling will "ask" for the same legal status," said Nailul Huda, Thursday, May 22.

Regarding the discourse, Professor of the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia Hikmahanto Juwana, encouraged the government to review proposals to legalize casinos by studying policies as implemented in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia in order to increase the country's foreign exchange.

"Indonesia is also a country with a Muslim population, just like the UAE, which is currently building a large casino in its country and Malaysia which officially legalized the casino in 1969," Hikmahanto said.

He asked the Indonesian government to open its eyes to address this, including making objective assessments related to three important things. Stated that Indonesia is indeed a Muslim country but with high gambling activities. Whereas when the Ali Sadikin era served as Governor of DKI Jakarta, this activity was finally legalized.

"At that time we also had Porkas, there was SDSB, it was actually also such forms. Now, now we are only localizing and using the funds later, for example from the taxes generated and so on," he said.

"But of course the funds are for purposes that are not touching, let's say things related to religion and so on," he added.

Golkar Proposes Indonesia To Follow Arab Legalkan Kasino

If in the end Indonesia compromises to open a casino in a special economic area, the government is asked to dare to take this policy by remaining focused on eradicating online gambling which is detrimental to the small people.

Member of the House of Representatives from the Golkar faction, Galih Kartasasmita, proposed that Indonesia imitate the Arab country running the casino. The proposal was submitted by Galih Kartasasmita in a working meeting with the Directorate General of Budget of the Ministry of Finance at Commission XI of the DPR. Of course, this discourse aims to add new objects of non-tax state revenue.

"I'm sorry, I'm not going to do anything, but the UAE yesterday wanted to run a casino, try Arab countries to run casinos, meaning they are out of the box like the ministry and institution," he said.

The opening of a casino in Indonesia is actually nothing new. History records that casinos have indeed been officially opened and have made great profits to the government.

Steps Desperate Governor Of Maksiat

This incident occurred in 1967 in Jakarta. At that time, the Governor of Jakarta, Ali Sadikin, faced a complicated challenge in building the capital city. Many infrastructure and various major projects have not been built due to a lack of budget. On this basis, Ali Sadikin must look for ways to increase his budget, one of which is through legalizing gambling. This policy is carried out so that gambling is no longer carried out secretly. By localizing gambling to a special area, the government hopes to get a flow of funds from gambling proceeds.

Illustration. The gambling Casino is on the lower floor of the restaurant in Gatineau, Canada. (Chuma A-Unsplash)

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

The government records the profits from illegal gambling reaching Rp. 300 million every year. Unfortunately, such a large fund does not flow to the government, but to the hands of the individuals who provide protection.

The money fell into the hands of a protective person for gambling without being felt by the public, said the DKI Jakarta Government at that time. The government wants the money from gambling to be used to build bridges, roads, schools and hospitals.

Finally, on September 21, 1967, the DKI Jakarta Government legalized gambling through the Decree of the Governor of the Chusus Regional Head of the Capital City of Djakarta No. 805/A/k/BKD/1967. Kompas Daily (November 23, 1967) explained that the location of the first legal casino in Jakarta and Indonesia was in the Petak Sembilan Area, Glodok. This Kasino stands in collaboration with the DKI Jakarta Government with a Chinese citizen named Atang.

This casino arena is open every day without stopping and is closely guarded by the police. However, gambling is only shown for Chinese citizens or Chinese descendants in Indonesia. Indonesian citizens are not allowed to bet on gambling tables.

Meanwhile, Genting Malaysia Berhad, which operates the only legal casino in Malaysia managed by Resorts World Genting, recorded revenue of RM 10.91 billion in 2024 or equivalent to IDR 37.09 trillion (exchange rate of IDR 3,400). Revenue from legal gambling in Malaysia beats the 2025 West Java APBD of only 30.99 trillion. Most of this revenue comes from casino operations in Malaysia, although the company also has operations abroad such as the UK, Egypt, the US, and the Bahamas.