INDONESIA SETS UP TASK FORCE TO COMBAT ONLINE GAMBLING

JAKARTA, April 25 (Bernama) -- The Indonesian government is establishing a task force to address online gambling, involving the cooperation of various ministries and agencies including Interpol to handle cross-border cases.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo) on Thursday said the task force would operate under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs.

Comprising representatives from Kominfo, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), and the police, the task force will focus on comprehensive efforts to combat online gambling.

"Kominfo will oversee the digital space, OJK will manage accounts, PPATK will handle fund flows, and the police will carry out arrest and investigation duties," said the ministry’s information and public communication director general Usman Kansong.

Usman said the ongoing challenges include OJK’s inability to block overseas accounts and the ministry’s struggle to filter servers in foreign jurisdictions.

The ministry had uncovered online gambling servers operating in the Philippines and Cambodia, specifically targeting Indonesian citizens, in October 2023.

In a separate statement, Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto expressed growing concern over online gambling, particularly involving school students.

He also noted a shift in gaming methods from using credit and cash to utilising overseas servers since last year.

PPATK data showed 3.2 million citizens gambled online in 2023, with 80 per cent betting under 100,000 rupiah or about US$6.17, mostly preferring online slots for their convenience.

-- BERNAMA