Key Takeaways
- Indonesia’s financial regulator has instructed banks to strengthen oversight of 36,191 suspected online gambling accounts.
- Banks have been asked to conduct enhanced due diligence (EDD) and, where appropriate, block accounts linked to suspected illegal gambling activity.
- The action is based on information provided by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi).
- Authorities say the measures are part of a broader effort to protect the country’s financial system from illegal online gambling.
Indonesia is stepping up its fight against illegal online gambling by directing the country’s banking sector to strengthen monitoring of Indonesia online gambling accounts suspected of facilitating unlawful betting activity.
According to Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK), commercial banks have been instructed to carry out enhanced due diligence (EDD) and, where necessary, block approximately 36,191 bank accounts identified as potentially being linked to online gambling. The accounts were flagged using information provided by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi).
The latest directive reflects Indonesia’s ongoing effort to reduce the financial infrastructure supporting illegal gambling platforms while increasing oversight across the banking system.
Regulator Expands Banking Oversight
The announcement was made by Dian Ediana Rae, OJK’s Chief Executive for Banking Supervision, during the regulator’s monthly press conference.
According to OJK, banks have been instructed not only to review the flagged accounts but also to conduct additional verification procedures where appropriate. The regulator said financial institutions should apply enhanced due diligence measures and take further action if suspicious activity is confirmed.
Officials noted that online gambling continues to have broader economic and financial implications, making cooperation between regulators and financial institutions an important part of enforcement efforts.
Number of Flagged Accounts Continues to Rise
The latest figure of 36,191 suspected accounts represents an increase compared with earlier data released by Indonesian authorities.
OJK stated that the number has grown by roughly 3,000 accounts since previous reporting, indicating that authorities continue to identify additional accounts believed to be associated with illegal online gambling operations.
The regulator said the information originates from data submitted by Komdigi, which has been actively working with financial authorities as part of Indonesia’s wider crackdown on unlawful digital gambling activities.
Banks Asked to Go Beyond Individual Accounts
Indonesia’s banking regulator also instructed financial institutions to strengthen customer verification beyond the initially identified accounts.
According to OJK, banks may also examine accounts connected to the same customer identity information where appropriate as part of their enhanced due diligence procedures. The objective is to reduce the possibility of individuals continuing suspected gambling-related activity through alternative accounts.
Authorities emphasized that these measures are intended to improve financial oversight while supporting broader law enforcement efforts.
Why Enhanced Due Diligence Matters
Enhanced due diligence is a higher level of customer review commonly used when financial institutions identify transactions or account activity that may present elevated compliance or financial crime risks.
These reviews can include:
- Additional identity verification
- Transaction monitoring
- Source-of-funds assessments
- Risk-based customer reviews
- Temporary account restrictions where required by regulation
The process forms part of broader anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financial crime frameworks used by financial institutions worldwide.
Indonesia Continues Its Crackdown on Illegal Online Gambling
Indonesia has significantly increased enforcement efforts against illegal online gambling over the past several years.
Authorities have introduced measures targeting gambling websites, payment channels, digital platforms, and financial networks believed to facilitate unlawful betting activities. Financial regulators, law enforcement agencies, and communications authorities have all participated in coordinated enforcement actions designed to disrupt these operations.
The latest banking directive represents another step in that broader strategy by focusing on the financial channels that may support illegal gambling transactions.
Impact on the Financial Sector
For banks, the new guidance reinforces the importance of maintaining robust compliance systems capable of identifying unusual transaction patterns and responding to regulatory requests.
Financial institutions operating in Indonesia are expected to continue strengthening their Know Your Customer (KYC), anti-money laundering, and transaction monitoring procedures as regulators increase scrutiny of suspected illegal financial activity.
Industry observers note that stronger banking oversight may help reduce the use of regulated financial institutions for unlawful transactions while improving overall financial system integrity.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s latest directive demonstrates the government’s continued effort to disrupt illegal gambling activity through stronger financial oversight.
By instructing banks to conduct enhanced due diligence and review approximately 36,191 suspected Indonesia online gambling accounts, regulators are seeking to limit the financial infrastructure supporting unlawful betting operations while reinforcing compliance standards across the banking sector.
As enforcement efforts continue, banks are expected to play an increasingly important role in identifying suspicious activity and supporting Indonesia’s broader campaign against illegal online gambling.
