Indonesian Police Anticipate Surge in Illegal Online Gambling Ahead of Soccer World Cup

(AsiaGameHub) –   Authorities in Indonesia have cautioned that the upcoming World Cup is expected to lead to a significant surge in online gambling activities within the country.

All forms of sports betting are prohibited in Indonesia. However, despite ongoing enforcement efforts, numerous offshore gambling websites continue to offer sports betting services to individuals residing in Indonesia.

Soccer is overwhelmingly the most popular sport in Indonesia. Historically, betting activity has intensified in anticipation of major tournaments, such as the World Cup, and during matches involving the Indonesian national team.

The Indonesian National Police (Polri) anticipates that the forthcoming World Cup will follow this trend. The tournament is scheduled to commence on June 11, and a notable increase in betting-related activities is already being observed globally.

During a press conference, senior Polri officials urged the public to report any World Cup-themed online gambling operations through a designated hotline.

Individuals caught engaging in illegal sports gambling face potential jail sentences of up to five years and fines reaching $66,000.

Operators and promoters of such activities can be imprisoned for up to 10 years and fined up to $660,000.

Illegal sports betting platforms commonly provide odds on matches from the Indonesian Super League and the national team, as well as major European leagues like the English Premier League.

Is a World Cup ‘Explosion’ of Illegal Gambling Imminent?

Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, who heads Polri’s Public Information Bureau, stated: “We must collectively prepare for an increase in soccer gambling. We must prevent malicious actors from exploiting the excitement surrounding the World Cup to promote illegal activities that could result in harm.”

Polri officials also advised citizens to refrain from causing public disturbances during the World Cup, as reported by the Indonesian news outlet Tempo.

Furthermore, they encouraged the public to avoid illegal streaming services and to steer clear of unauthorized World Cup viewing gatherings.

Many illegal sports betting services targeting Indonesian users often feature live streams that are pirated from legitimate broadcasters.

A study released in January, commissioned by a US-based payment provider, indicated that 19% of individuals interested in the World Cup intend to place their first online bet during the tournament.

The same study revealed that 60% of surveyed fans in North America, Europe, and Latin America plan to wager on World Cup-related events.

In US states where sports betting is legal, 62% of respondents indicated their intention to bet on the World Cup. Nearly one-third of those surveyed in these states mentioned that World Cup wagers would be their initial bets.

Government Declares ‘No Mercy’ Stance

In parallel, the Indonesian government has declared a policy of “no mercy” towards illegal gambling operators who target minors.

“We must address online gambling, scams, and various crimes that target children and vulnerable populations with greater stringency. This commitment applies this year, next year, and into the future. There will be zero tolerance in this regard,” stated Meutya Hafid, the country’s Minister of Communication and Digital.

The minister pledged increased government backing for crackdowns on illegal gambling, as reported by the Indonesian media outlet Harian Jogja.

“Criminals are now leveraging digital solutions and advanced technology,” she commented. “Consequently, we must significantly enhance the digital services we employ for prosecution and monitoring.”

In Italy, recent court rulings have resulted in fines for two prominent soccer players who were found to have bet on games within the league in which they played.