Asia-Pacific Leaders to Crack Down on Illegal Online Gambling

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called on member economies to join forces in combating illegal online gambling, warning that the practice threatens both economic and social stability across the region.

“Online gambling is a very serious issue,” Prabowo said during his address to world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. “We calculate that we lose around $8 billion (IDR133 trillion) every year solely due to outflows from online gambling.”

Speaking under this year’s APEC theme, “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,” Prabowo urged coordinated international action to combat transnational crimes that exploit digital networks — from smuggling and corruption to narcotics. He framed illegal online gambling as part of a broader challenge to digital and financial security in the Asia-Pacific.

Economic and Social Risks

Prabowo warned that the risks extend beyond financial loss. Citing social instability and cyber vulnerabilities, he called for “global solidarity” to strengthen digital safeguards and prevent data theft. “That is why we want to participate in advancing APEC’s capabilities in technology,” he said. “We also aim to strengthen SMEs and improve healthcare systems to anticipate our demographic bonus.”

Indonesia has intensified efforts to curb online gambling, which remains illegal under national law. In August, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) ordered banks to block nearly 26,000 accounts linked to gambling activity and mandated tighter screening against the national ID database.

Yet, officials acknowledge enforcement gaps. Indonesia’s Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said this week that “the prevention and eradication of online gambling is still not optimal.” Speaking at an anti-money-laundering forum in Jakarta, he argued that enforcement should focus on financial institutions that facilitate transactions rather than end users.

“Through this approach, the government can track, freeze and seize the proceeds of crime used to finance and expand online gambling operations,” Yusril said. He also appealed to religious leaders to address the issue publicly. “For the last five years, I have never heard any sermon about online gambling,” he said. “The preachers always speak about hell but forget to speak about real issues faced by our people.”

 

Online gambling is not only an economic crime — it is a social danger that tests the integrity of our digital future.

Global Problem, Local Impact

Research underscores that Indonesia’s struggle reflects a global trend. A 2023 Lancet Public Health study estimated that 72 million people worldwide experience harm related to gambling, a figure likely to rise as digital platforms expand access. “We’re not talking about people playing a game with cards around the table anymore,” said Professor Louisa Degenhardt of the University of New South Wales. “Commercial organisations are targeting people to gamble more.”

A 2024 United Nations report described Southeast Asia as a “hotbed” of cybercrime, illegal gambling, and so-called “scam farms.” It noted that transnational criminal groups have become “global market leaders” in online gambling operations, enabled by porous regulation and weak financial oversight. At APEC, Prabowo positioned Indonesia as an advocate for joint action against the digital underworld. Analysts say the call aligns with Indonesia’s push to modernize its financial systems and strengthen cybersecurity.

By framing illegal gambling as a transnational economic and moral threat, Prabowo sought to elevate it on APEC’s policy agenda — a step that could lead to more coordinated cross-border regulation and data-sharing initiatives. Whether other member economies will respond remains uncertain. But as Prabowo emphasized, the cost of inaction could extend far beyond lost revenue. “Online gambling,” he said, “is not only an economic crime. It is a social danger that tests the integrity of our digital future.”