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Breaking News: Ministry Vows to Sanction Platforms Still Showing Online Gambling Ads

The Communication and Informatics Ministry of Indonesia announced on Friday that they will be issuing reprimand letters to digital platforms that are still promoting online gambling activities. Usman Kansong, Director General of Public Information of Communication, said, “We will be taking action against digital platforms that still allow advertising for online gambling. All will be treated equitably.”

Recent scrutiny showed that the promotional accounts of online gambling sites, though verified, have a follower/following count of less than 10, which indicates that they may be using automated bots. The sites advertised are those that have already been blocked by the government.

Kansong went on to say that the letter is a just reaction to protect Indonesian digital space from any content and accounts that advocate for unlawful online gambling. Last year, the ministry has already sent reprimand letters to Meta, one of the leading digital platforms in the country that manages various social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.

The letter required Meta to obey the laws in Indonesia which strictly prohibit betting, and to be more stringent in preventing online gambling ads. Currently, the ministry is sending similar letters to other platforms, accompanied by a deadline to take down and stop any advertisements related to illegal gambling activities.

Technology Solutions to Eradicate Online Gambling: What the Ministry is Doing

The ministry has made a commitment to utilize communities to uproot online betting activities in Indonesia. Data from the Financial Services Authority (OJK) last year revealed that they already blocked around 4,000 bank accounts linked to illegal online gambling in the country.

It is clear that the Indonesian government takes their battle against online gambling very seriously. They have clearly laid out regulations and imposed sanctions on illegal betting activities in Indonesia. Safety of the population is their top priority, and the measures taken are an example of that.