Online Gambling Transaction Methods in Indonesia Extend Beyond Bank Accounts, Authorities Warn

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Online gambling users in Indonesia are not solely relying on bank accounts for transactions. It has emerged that they are also utilising digital wallet platforms (e-wallets) and mobile phone credit.

“Our colleagues at Dana, Doku, GoPay, Indosat, Isaku, LinkAja, Ovo, QRIS, Sakuku, ShopeePay, Telkomsel, TMB, XL Axiata, and others have homework to do, as their platforms are being used as e-wallets or targets for online crimes and other activities,” stated the Minister of Communication and Dissemination of Information (Komdigi), Meutya Hafid, during a working meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday (18/05/2026).

She also presented data regarding the crackdown on online gambling. For instance, between 20 October 2024 and 16 May 2025, access to 3,452,000 gambling websites had been severed.

The blocking of bank accounts is also being conducted by submitting requests to the Financial Services Authority (OJK). Meutya noted that 25,214 bank accounts have been proposed for blocking throughout 2025.

Meanwhile, data from the Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) shows that the circulation of online gambling funds in 2025 reached Rp 286 trillion. This figure represents a 40% decrease from the previous amount, which reached Rp 400 trillion.

Meutya emphasised that eradicating online gambling requires more than just cutting off access; it also necessitates rigorous monitoring of payment platforms. “It must also involve various forms of surveillance, including financial transfers, payment systems, and so on,” she said.

On the same occasion, Meutya disclosed data regarding the blocking of telephone numbers used for criminal activities. Approximately 3,000 telephone numbers were identified as impersonating members of the DPR or public officials to solicit donations.

“There were 3,000 telephone numbers blocked for impersonating members of the DPR or public officials to ask for donations. Additionally, around 2,500 numbers reported for fraud—including victims of online investment scams, online gambling, and online shopping scams—have been blocked, totalling more than 13,000 numbers,” Meutya explained.

“These figures should ideally be higher if the public becomes more accustomed to reporting suspicious numbers. If you encounter numbers suspected of fraud, please report them immediately so we can proceed with blocking or cutting off access in cooperation with mobile operators,” she added.