Indonesia plans tougher rules to protect kids from gambling
As Indonesia continues its push to tackle online gambling, The government is drafting stricter rules to tackle online gambling and protect children from harm in the digital world. The move comes as concerns grow over rising cases of child rights violations and addiction linked to gambling websites.
New regulation to protect victims and punish platforms
The Government Regulation on Online Gambling Eradication, now being prepared, will introduce tough sanctions against gambling platforms and focus on protecting victims, especially children.
“It highly supports the regulation of online gambling because there are things that are addictive, especially for children, and then make them trapped,” said Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum, deputy for coordination of family and population quality improvement at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, last week in Jakarta.
She stressed that victims often need proper care to recover: “The victims often become addicted and need rehabilitation. This is important … if the victims are not rehabilitated well, they will come back to it (online gambling).”
Meutya Hafid, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs of Indonesia, highlighted the need for joint efforts: “Children are now growing up in a digital space that is not always safe. Protecting them requires cooperation from all parties, starting from the government, digital platforms, to parents at home.”
Sulistyaningrum also highlighted that current laws mostly punish offenders but fail to focus on victim support. The Ministry of Law is finalising the regulation, which aims to strengthen both prevention and enforcement. Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas said, “This government regulation emphasises the strengthening of prevention and enforcement against online gambling to be more maximal.”
The government’s efforts come after the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs blocked 1.3 million pieces of gambling-related content between October 2024 and May 2025. President Prabowo Subianto has also urged more preventive.
National push to stop violence against children
Alongside tackling online gambling, the government has reactivated a national movement to address violence against children. “We remind all parties of the importance of collaboration to answer challenges related to sexual violence, and violence against children in general,” Sulistyaningrum said.
She pointed out that violence against children remains high despite existing efforts. The government is also drafting a regulation called PP Tunas to protect children in the digital world.
“PP Tunas regulates the electronic system governance. It aims to protect children in the digital realm. However, violence against children still occurs,” she added.
The government has urged national insurer BPJS to cover victims of violence and flagged concerns that some funds, like those for post-mortem exams, have been cut.
Sulistyaningrum called for joint efforts to raise awareness: “Parents, educators, and all elements must have massive awareness (on this topic). The government cannot bear the work alone. We must involve the community and the business sector. Often, a lot of content from the business world also encourages violence.”
Crack down on illegal gambling
Indonesia continues its strict crackdown on illegal gambling, which is banned for both citizens and foreigners. Those caught gambling can face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 25 million rupiah ($1,520). Authorities have linked gambling addiction to rising crime and an increase in high-interest loans. The country’s leading Islamic scholar body considers cockfighting as haram (forbidden).
Even though gambling is illegal in Indonesia, it has surged, especially online. In the first quarter of 2025, more than 1.07 million Indonesians participated in online gambling, according to PPATK. The agency found that 71 percent of these users earned less than IDR 5 million per month (about $315), highlighting concerns about the financial risks faced by lower-income groups.
