MP: Online Gambling Has Destroyed Many Families

JAKARTA - A member of Commission III of the House of Representatives, Abdullah, has emphasised that online gambling has destroyed the younger generation and families across Indonesia. Therefore, he supports the police’s recent raid on an online gambling operational office in the Hayam Wuruk Street area, West Jakarta, on Saturday (9/5/2026). “The state must not lose to digital criminals. Online gambling has destroyed many families, caused social problems, and threatened the future of the younger generation. Therefore, its eradication must be a collective priority,” Abdullah stated firmly in his comments on Monday (11/5/2026). He hopes the police can uncover and arrest the entire online gambling network, both on a national and international scale. “There should be no more online gambling networks, whether international or national, operating in Indonesia. Uncover the other online gambling networks. All online gambling networks must be arrested and processed according to applicable law,” Abdullah said. To that end, he encourages improvements in personnel capabilities, technology, and enforcement strategies by the police. The police are also asked to collaborate with other institutions in monitoring digital transactions, tracking international networks, and taking action against parties involved in the online gambling ecosystem. “Online gambling crimes today are supported by increasingly advanced technology. Therefore, law enforcement officials must also continue to enhance their capacity, digital capabilities, and mastery of technology to stay one step ahead of the perpetrators,” Abdullah said. The arrests took place at an online gambling operational site in an office in the Hayam Wuruk Street area, West Jakarta. “We found evidence of organised gambling activities involving foreign nationals from various countries,” said the Director of General Criminal Acts (Dirtipidum) of Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Pol. Wira Satya Triputra, during a press conference at the raid location in West Jakarta on Saturday (9/5/2026). According to Wira, the foreign nationals were arrested while carrying out operational activities for online gambling sites. Investigators found at least 75 domains and websites suspected of being used for gambling. These sites use specific character combinations to avoid blocking. The police suspect the network is linked to an international syndicate and is run in a structured manner.