The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) has taken decisive action to combat the growing issue of online gambling by removing a staggering 2.8 million pieces of harmful content from the internet in the past year. This action was part of a nationwide initiative running from October 20, 2024, to September 16, 2025, aimed at cleaning up the country’s digital space and addressing the threats posed by illegal gambling content.

Indonesia’s Digital Space Faces Major Gambling Crackdown

According to Alexander Sabar, the Director General of Digital Space Monitoring at Komdigi, over 2.1 million of the removed items were directly linked to online gambling platforms, which remain illegal under Indonesian law. Sabar emphasized that the government’s main goal is to protect the public from harmful digital content, not to restrict free speech.

According to ANTARA News, the scope of the removals is vast, with a detailed breakdown revealing that 1.93 million items were taken down from websites, 97,779 from file-sharing platforms, and 94,004 from Meta’s apps, including Facebook and Instagram. Other platforms such as Google, X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, TikTok, Line, and application stores were also targeted in this crackdown. Sabar underscored that these actions reflect the persistent challenges posed by illegal online activities, especially gambling, despite the country’s longstanding ban on such activities.

The Indonesian government has been implementing a one-year pilot program of the Content Moderation Compliance System (SAMAN), which aims to ensure that all digital platforms operating in the country comply with national regulations and community guidelines. SAMAN is designed to assist in the enforcement of local laws and encourage platform accountability, with the trial period set to conclude next month.

“We are ensuring that digital platforms adhere to the community guidelines and regulations. The primary goal is to maintain a clean, safe, healthy, and productive digital space for all users,” Sabar explained during a press briefing in Jakarta. He also urged the public to actively report harmful content, particularly online gambling-related material, through the official reporting channels provided by Komdigi.

While the government’s actions have garnered praise for their intention to safeguard the public from the dangers of online gambling, critics have expressed concerns about the growing influence of the gambling industry in the country. A survey by Populix found that 82% of internet users had encountered gambling-related content online. Alarmingly, academic studies show that a significant number of young Indonesians are engaging with online gambling, with nearly 43% of university students having tried it, and more than a quarter continuing to participate actively.

Fighting a Persistent Digital Gambling Problem

Despite Indonesia’s strict laws against gambling, both online and offline, the industry has flourished in recent years. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) reported that approximately 1.07 million Indonesians participated in online gambling during the first quarter of 2025. A previous Reuters estimate indicated that around 3 million people were involved in online gambling in 2023, with total wagers approaching $20 billion.

The government’s efforts to combat online gambling are part of a broader push to protect citizens from the negative consequences of gambling addiction and financial harm. Authorities have made it clear that the removals are not about limiting freedom of expression but rather about ensuring the digital space remains free from illegal and harmful content. The actions are also intended to prevent the normalization of gambling, particularly among younger populations, who are most at risk of developing addictive behaviors.

Komdigi’s monitoring efforts are not only focused on removing gambling-related content but also on encouraging public involvement in maintaining a safe digital environment. Citizens are encouraged to report any illegal content, including gambling-related material, through official government channels. The Ministry has emphasized that a collective effort is needed to ensure that Indonesia’s digital space remains clean, healthy, and productive.

As the SAMAN system concludes its trial phase, the government is set to implement more robust regulations aimed at curbing illegal online gambling and ensuring that all digital platforms comply with local standards. By doing so, Indonesia aims to protect its citizens from the harmful impacts of gambling while fostering a safer and more responsible digital environment.