The government of West Java, Indonesia, has raised an alarm concerning online gambling among civil servants, finding that over 1,000 government employees engaged in illegal online betting. The Bandung Regency’s Representative Council disclosed that, in 2025, 1,066 civil servants in Bandung Regency placed illegal wagers totaling more than $373,000. This marks a significant 74% increase from the previous year, where only 613 civil servants were found placing illegal bets. The amount deposited on online gambling platforms also soared by 20%, rising from $312,000 in 2024.
The council is currently verifying this data but has vowed to pursue strict penalties for any officials caught gambling online. "The council demands that anyone found guilty faces prosecution. We will take decisive action," stated a spokesperson according to Bale Bandung. "To any civil servants who are still gambling: Stop now. Don’t wait to be summoned or questioned."
In 2023, Indonesia initiated a comprehensive crackdown on online gambling, a move intensified after law enforcement exposed a major protection racket involving officials who accepted payments from gambling operators to shield their operations from government intervention. Under current laws, illegal gamblers risk up to five years in prison, while operators face up to 10 years.
Additionally, the courts have targeted young female social media influencers promoting illegal gambling on platforms like Instagram, sentencing several to terms of up to two years.
The Bandung Regency Council indicated that it has requested investigators to expedite the confirmation process of these figures. "There must be no cover-ups, and no one must be protected," the spokesperson added. They believe this investigation is crucial in upholding the integrity and public trust in the Bandung Regency Government.
While the central government maintains that its crackdown has had some success—reporting a nearly 13% decrease in illegal deposits to gambling sites in the first half of 2026—a contradictory statistic shows that the total number of transactions rose by over 167%. Overall, almost $5 billion in illegal gambling-related transactions has been detected so far.
A recent survey by the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) revealed that many public and private education institutions struggle to combat online gambling effectively. The study assessed over 300 educational establishments across 38 provinces, using face-to-face interviews for data collection. Alarmingly, 40% of these educational bodies lack the necessary digital literacy to effectively address online gambling issues. Less than a third hold regular awareness programs regarding gambling, while others have the framework but have not yet implemented these initiatives.
The survey also reported instances of online gambling among students and staff in 3% of the schools assessed. Eight percent acknowledged small-scale gambling activity, and 14% admitted they were unaware of any gambling behaviors among students or employees.
In a related issue, Indonesia's Social Affairs Ministry recently announced the suspension or termination of benefits for approximately 1.5 million families, who were found to be using aid money to engage in online betting. A noted increase in sports betting during major events like the World Cup has also highlighted the enduring popularity of wagering in the country, despite ongoing governmental efforts to curb the trend.
