Under the leadership of Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information has launched a strong initiative targeting 21 payment service providers. This move is part of a broader effort to combat online gambling activities promoted through digital payment platforms.
The ministry issued a statement revealing that these providers have been formally warned, threatening severe consequences, including the potential revocation of their operating licenses, if they are found to facilitate online gambling transactions.
Immediate actions required by payment services:
Minister Budi Arie Setiadi outlined the government's concerns and the urgent measures that payment services must take. "The Ministry of Communication and Information has sent warning letters to these payment service providers to ensure their services are not used to facilitate online gambling transactions," he stated. This action was taken after investigations found a tangible link between several payment services and illegal gambling activities.
According to the "Asian Gambling Brief," to reduce further misuse, Kominfo has requested these entities to conduct extensive internal audits. The purpose of these audits is to ensure their systems are foolproof, preventing exploitation for gambling or other illegal activities. The involved service providers must report the results of these audits to the ministry within a strict seven-day deadline.
Failure to meet the ministry's requirements will result in severe consequences. According to the "Jakarta Daily," Minister Budi Arie Setiadi emphasized: "If the Ministry of Communication and Information does not receive the internal audit results within seven days, the payment service providers will face administrative penalties according to applicable laws and regulations." This highlights the government's firm stance on compliance and its willingness to implement regulatory measures against violators.
National campaign against online gambling:
The actions against payment providers are part of a national campaign led by President Joko Widodo. In June 2024, President Widodo signed a decree establishing a dedicated task force to eradicate online gambling, indicating the top-level commitment to addressing this pervasive issue. The establishment of the task force reflects a strategic policy to eradicate financial channels supporting illegal gambling activities.
Furthermore, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) plays a crucial role in this initiative. In a recent report, PPATK disclosed that it had blocked thousands of bank accounts related to online gambling, with the blocked transactions amounting to 600 trillion Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 36.39 billion US dollars). This financial crackdown is a complement to regulatory actions, forming a comprehensive strategy to combat online gambling.
Through these measures, Indonesia demonstrates its determination to maintain the integrity of the digital payment landscape and protect citizens from the risks associated with online gambling. By strictly enforcing compliance regulations and utilizing regulatory and financial intervention measures, the government aims to create a safer, more regulated environment, significantly reducing the prevalence of illegal online gambling activities.
