Indonesian scholar Vidya Ramadhan from STIE Ekuitas has proposed a groundbreaking suggestion, advocating for a "foreigners-only" casino model in special economic zones such as Batam Island or Bali. This would involve targeted legislation to establish a regulatory framework, circumventing existing criminal law prohibitions and generating significant fiscal revenue.
Ramadhan emphasized the necessity to prohibit local citizens from entering to protect low-income groups, and noted that strictly regulated casinos could bring substantial economic benefits.
The proposal has received support from parliamentarian Galih Kartasasmita, who, citing the UAE as an example, argues that legalizing casinos should be seen as an economic strategy rather than an ideological issue.
International relations expert Hikmahanto Juwana agrees with this plan, believing that government-regulated physical casinos are easier to control than the current proliferation of illegal online gambling.
Historical precedents also provide evidence—during the 1960s, Jakarta Governor Ali Sadikin legalized the gambling industry to fund infrastructure projects.
It is noteworthy that the nearby Genting World in Malaysia is projected to have a revenue of 109.1 billion MYR (approximately 37.09 trillion IDR) in 2024, even surpassing the annual budget of West Java Province for 2025, providing a strong argument for supporters.
If implemented, this proposal would mark Indonesia's pragmatic and innovative approach in balancing Islamic principles with economic development needs.
