Batam Casino Disguised as Nightlife Venue Raided, Rp7.8 Billion Seized
A joint team from the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) raided a large-scale casino disguised as a nightlife venue in the Nagoya area of Batam, Riau Islands, on Saturday evening (15/8). The operation resulted in the detention of 197 people and the seizure of nearly Rp7.8 billion in cash.
The raid was conducted at around 9.30pm Western Indonesia Time at a venue called 9 Stage Lounge & Bar, located at Ruko Nagoya Indah Block D2 Number 9, Batu Selicin, Batam. The operation followed an in-depth investigation lasting two to three months, triggered by public complaints, reports from local figures, and information published in the media.
Speaking at a press conference at the Barelang Police Headquarters on Sunday (16/8), Deputy Chief of Bareskrim Inspector General Nunung Syaifuddin described the network as highly organised. Of the 197 people detained, the breakdown included one owner with the initials Akau, two managers, five cashiers, one supervisor, 25 chip exchangers, 65 dealers, two marketing staff, and 96 players.
Of the 96 players, 86 were Indonesian citizens, while the remaining 10 were foreign nationals comprising seven Chinese citizens, two Singaporeans, and one Malaysian.
Police seized cash found at two locations: Rp7,297,213,000 stored in three safes, and a further Rp500 million found in a chip exchange desk drawer. The total cash seized amounted to Rp7.79 billion.
In addition to the cash, officers seized 105 gambling machines. A number of gambling chips were also confiscated and are still being counted by officers.
Investigators are currently examining the role of each person detained. The main perpetrators will be taken to Bareskrim headquarters in Jakarta for further examination. Police are also expanding the investigation into other potential criminal offences at the location, including possible drug trafficking.
The gambling organisers are charged under Article 426 paragraph (1) letters a, b, and/or c as well as Article 427 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of nine years.
The investigation is also being expanded to include money laundering offences under Article 607 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code. This article carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison if the perpetrators are proven to have concealed or controlled assets derived from gambling.
Nunung stressed that the raid serves as a stern warning to entertainment venue operators in Batam not to use entertainment businesses as a cover for illegal activities. “We will not provide any room for gambling practices in any form,” he asserted.