Bali Police in Indonesia Arrest 35 Indian Nationals in Online Gambling Syndicate Operation

(AsiaGameHub) –   Police in Bali, Indonesia have charged 35 Indian nationals with running an online gambling syndicate.

All 35 suspects, including a suspected mastermind identified as PS, have been charged with illegal betting and organized crime-related offenses, according to the Indonesian media outlet JPNN.

Bali prosecutors are now considering whether to formally indict the suspects, stated Senior Commissioner Azhari Kurniawan, Director of Cyber Investigation at the Bali Regional Police.

The developments follow raids on two villas in Bali on March 3. Police received intelligence in late February indicating that these villas were being used as operational hubs for what they described as “a major online gambling site.” Based on this information, authorities carried out two simultaneous raids targeting locations in Canggu and Munggu within the Badung District of North Kuta.

Both areas are known for their popularity among foreign tourists.

Indonesia: Bali Police Investigate Potential Money Laundering Links

Officers compiled digital evidence and “mutually corroborating witness statements” to identify the suspects.

Detectives described the syndicate as “highly organized,” with some arrestees holding technical roles while others served as account managers.

Others were allegedly involved in financial transactions connected to international networks.

Authorities seized numerous computer devices, servers, mobile phones, and other equipment.

The confiscated materials suggest “huge, systematic online gambling activities,” police said.

However, police have not disclosed the identity of the gambling site in question. They estimate the site generates approximately $500 in monthly profits.

During the raids, police arrested four additional Indian nationals, all of whom have since been released.

All suspects were in Bali on tourist visas.

‘A Wider Network’

Azhari stated that the investigation remains ongoing.

He noted that detectives are still examining “the possibility of a wider network” being involved.

Officials suspect the site may be linked to cross-border money laundering operations.

Police warned the public that as Bali’s “international tourism boom” continues, so does the “real threat of cybercrime.”

In recent months, Bali-based courts have sentenced several young female social media influencers for promoting online casinos through their Instagram pages. These influencers reportedly received payments from gambling promoters they met online.

Meanwhile, courts across the country report that online casino use is contributing to a rise in divorces. Authorities say that gambling addiction damages family finances and erodes trust between partners.