Indonesian authorities are ready to respond to a rise in illegal soccer betting games over the weekend as World Cup betting fever sweeps the country.
The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) said that the majority of illegal online bets placed in the country have become soccer-related since the start of the World Cup.
Officials said they expected the rise. A PPATK executive said illegal deposits “generally increase on weekends and spike during major soccer tournaments like the 2026 World Cup,” the Indonesian media outlet Tempo reported.
The PPATK chief, Ivan Yustiavandana, said most gamblers are now using the Bank of Indonesia’s Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) system to place their bets.
QRIS lets Indonesian merchants provide fast, QR code-powered payment options from a range of e-wallet providers and banking apps.
All forms of gambling are illegal in Indonesia. The government launched a sweeping crackdown on online casino operators and patrons in 2023.
World Cup Betting Fever: Police Revive Task Force
The PPATK refused to say how much money Indonesians have bet on the World Cup so far.
However, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has spoken of a “surge” in online gambling activity during the 2026 World Cup.
The Polri chief, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, says the force has reactivated its Anti-Football Mafia Task Force in response to the rise. In the past, the task force has investigated allegations of match-fixing in soccer games.
Now, Polri said, the unit will hunt illegal sportsbook operators and illicit gamblers.
“This task force will prevent certain groups from exploiting the World Cup […] to commit crimes,” said the Polri chief.
Mayor Warns Civil Servants
Local government leaders have also warned public officials that they face prosecution if they are discovered gambling on soccer matches.
In Bandung, the capital of West Java Province, Mayor Muhammad Farhan said public sector workers should stay away from betting platforms.
“If any civil servants are found gambling during the World Cup, we will immediately impose severe sanctions,” Farhan said.
The Mayor said the city would “tighten” its supervision of civil servants. He said surveillance would be “especially strong during working hours,” the Indonesian media outlet Antara Kalbar reported.
He said this step would help ensure that public services continue to run optimally during the tournament. Farhan said he would ensure services are “not disrupted by deviant activities.”
The mayor added that government officials must serve as role models for the general public by “avoiding gambling practices,” especially during the World Cup.
Farhan also told Bandung residents to avoid gambling at all times. “It is highly addictive in nature,” the Mayor said.
This week, the French Professional Football League confirmed it has investigated one of the players at the World Cup over allegations of spot-fixing during a Ligue 1 match.
The player, Elye Wahi, played in Ivory Coast’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador earlier in the tournament.
