Komdigi strengthens strategy to eradicate online gambling, targets accounts and networks of perpetrators

Minister of Communication and Information Meutya Hafid (photo: Komdigi doc)

JAKARTA - Communication and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid emphasized that the eradication of online gambling is now entering a new approach that targets the entire crime ecosystem, ranging from websites, funds flows, to the network of perpetrators.

Through collaboration with the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Bank Indonesia (BI), the banking industry, and law enforcement, this new strategy is expected to help the government in eradicating online gambling in the country.

"Eradication of online gambling must be carried out thoroughly, it is not enough or should not stop only to cut off access to the site, but the entire ecosystem," Meutya said in his statement quoted Wednesday, July 15.

According to him, in addition to blocking websites affiliated with online gambling, the government must also cut off the funding sources that support the operation of online gambling networks through the blocking of deposit accounts.

"Cutting off access to the site must be accompanied by amputating the neck of the online gambling ecosystem, namely the account-holders. Therefore, the collaboration of Komdigi, OJK, the banking industry, and law enforcement is the key to breaking this chain of crime," he said.

Since October 20, 2024 to July 12, 2026, the Ministry of Komdigi has taken action on around 3.7 million sites and content containing online gambling.

In addition, Komdigi has also reported about 38 thousand accounts suspected of being related to online gambling activities, with about 32,500 accounts closed after undergoing the cleansing process.

The Minister of Communication and Information also encourages the implementation of the Know Your Customer (KYC) principle to be strengthened so that accounts that may be misused can be detected from the beginning before being used by the digital crime network.

"Eradication of online gambling will only be effective if we break up the entire ecosystem together. Not only the site, but also the flow of funds, the identity of the perpetrators, and the law enforcement. With increasingly strong collaboration, we are optimistic that we can create a safer and healthier Indonesian digital space," concluded Meutya.