Indonesia Urges APEC Nations to Unite Against Online Gambling

At the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, President Prabowo Subianto took a firm stance against illegal online gambling, calling it a global problem that undermines economies and social stability. Speaking before world leaders from 21 member states, including China, South Korea, and the United States, he urged international cooperation to confront what he described as one of the most damaging digital crimes in the region.

Good to Know

• Prabowo estimates Indonesia loses around $8 billion annually from online gambling.
• The Financial Services Authority has blocked 26,000 gambling-linked bank accounts.
• The government plans to strengthen digital security and SME growth under APEC goals.

Prabowo Calls for Global Unity at APEC

“Online gambling is a very serious issue,” Prabowo said during his speech. “We calculate that we lose around $8 billion (IDR133 trillion) every year solely due to outflows from online gambling.”

The president urged APEC members to join efforts to combat illegal gambling and other cross-border crimes such as smuggling, corruption, and narcotics. The theme of this year’s summit — Building a Sustainable Tomorrow — gave context to his message of regional solidarity and economic resilience.

Prabowo also warned that gambling’s harm goes beyond lost revenue, arguing that it erodes social cohesion and public trust. “We want to participate in advancing APEC’s capabilities in technology,” he said, adding that digital tools can be used to strengthen cyber protections, empower small businesses, and modernize healthcare.

Indonesia’s Domestic Crackdown Intensifies

Indonesia has outlawed all forms of online gambling and stepped up enforcement throughout 2025. In August, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) instructed domestic banks to block tens of thousands of accounts tied to illegal gambling activity. The agency also required financial institutions to perform stricter background checks by cross-referencing the national ID database to detect suspicious transfers.

At the same time, Indonesian officials continue to stress that enforcement alone will not solve the problem. Many operators operate offshore, making them harder to trace. The country has therefore focused on targeting the financial pipelines that sustain these networks.

Focus on Financial Institutions and Public Awareness

During a recent event in Jakarta, Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the government’s fight against online gambling remains incomplete.

He said:

“The prevention and eradication of online gambling is still not optimal.”

Yusril called on lawmakers to concentrate on financial flows rather than end users, saying:

“Through this approach, the government can track, freeze and seize the proceeds of crime used to finance and expand online gambling operations.”

The minister also made an unusual appeal to religious leaders, urging them to use their sermons to address gambling’s social dangers. “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.”

Regional Cooperation Seen as Key

Prabowo’s remarks at APEC reflect Indonesia’s growing push for regional alignment on cybercrime enforcement. The government views online gambling not only as a domestic concern but also as part of a transnational network involving financial laundering and offshore operators.

Officials believe that cooperation between regulators, banks, and technology firms across Asia-Pacific could close loopholes exploited by gambling syndicates. The emphasis now lies in data sharing, secure payment systems, and stronger cross-border regulation.

FAQ

Why did Prabowo raise the issue at APEC?

He said illegal gambling costs Indonesia billions and destabilizes society, urging countries to coordinate against the growing threat.

What actions has Indonesia taken so far?

The Financial Services Authority blocked 26,000 bank accounts linked to gambling and ordered banks to increase monitoring.

What role do financial institutions play in the crackdown?

Officials say tracking and freezing gambling-related funds can disrupt the industry more effectively than punishing individual players.

Why involve religious leaders?

Minister Yusril believes community education through religious channels can discourage gambling and strengthen public awareness.

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