Government Tightens Oversight to Prevent Foreigners Running Online Gambling

Indonesia’s Minister of Immigration and Penitentiary Affairs, Agus Andrianto, has said the ministry will intensify oversight to prevent foreign nationals from carrying out online gambling activities in Indonesia. He made the remark when asked by reporters about the arrest of 320 foreign nationals by the Indonesian Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) who are suspected of operating online gambling networks. ‘I have already conveyed this to the Director-General to increase oversight at all locations that could be used to organise similar activities,’ Agus said in Cikarang Barat, Bekasi Regency, West Java, on Tuesday (18 May 2026), according to Antara. He added that the Ministry will strengthen cooperation with the Police to monitor the activities and residences of foreign nationals deemed suspicious.

Earlier, Bareskrim disclosed an online gambling operation connected to international networks in the West Jakarta area and arrested 320 foreigners from various countries said to be involved in running the online gambling operations. The case is part of a broader effort by law enforcement to crack down on cross-border online gambling, which is increasingly complex and leverages international networks and digital technology.