Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, has issued a stern warning to electronic payment platforms and digital wallet providers. The move comes as authorities intensify efforts to curb the persistent rise of online gambling, which continues to exploit these financial services for illicit transactions.
During a working meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Monday (May 18), Meutya emphasized that major platforms must take greater responsibility. She specifically named several prominent providers, including DANA, Doku, GoPay, Indosat, i.saku, LinkAja, OVO, Sakuku, ShopeePay, Telkomsel, and XL Axiata, noting that their systems are frequently targeted for illegal online activities.
According to the Minister, tackling the online gambling epidemic requires more than just blocking websites; it demands a comprehensive, cross-sector approach. She stated that effective oversight must extend to financial transfers and digital payment ecosystems to ensure these platforms are not weaponized by criminals.
The Ministry has been aggressive in its enforcement, successfully blocking 3.45 million online gambling sites between October 20, 2024, and May 16, 2025. These efforts appear to be yielding positive results. Data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) indicates a significant decline in the financial footprint of the industry. In 2025, the total transaction volume related to online gambling dropped to 286 trillion Rupiah, a 30 percent decrease from the 400 trillion Rupiah recorded in the previous year.
Beyond site takedowns, the Ministry is working closely with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) to dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting these crimes. To date, the Ministry has requested that the OJK block 25,214 bank accounts suspected of being linked to online gambling activities throughout 2025, with further investigations for 2026 currently underway.
Meutya concluded that the government’s strategy has shifted from merely restricting access to websites to actively tracing money trails and auditing the payment systems involved. By focusing on the flow of funds, the government aims to systematically suffocate the operations of online gambling syndicates across the nation.
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Summary
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, has issued a strict warning to major Indonesian e-wallet and digital payment providers regarding the exploitation of their platforms for online gambling. The Minister emphasized that these companies must enhance their oversight to prevent their systems from being used for illicit financial transactions. This initiative is part of a broader government strategy to move beyond website blocking and actively disrupt the financial infrastructure supporting criminal gambling syndicates.
The government’s crackdown has already shown measurable progress, with the Ministry blocking 3.45 million gambling sites and requesting the suspension of over 25,000 suspect bank accounts. Collaboration with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) has contributed to a 30 percent reduction in online gambling transaction volume, which fell to 286 trillion Rupiah in 2025. Authorities remain committed to tracing money trails and auditing payment systems to systematically dismantle the operations of these illegal networks.
