Indonesia employs AI to block online gambling sites amid child exposure concerns

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital is using artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems in its fight against online gambling websites, with around 3.2 million such pages blocked to date.

“We remain committed to seeking and using technology developed by the nation's youth,” Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid said.

According to Hafid, online gambling operators continue to duplicate and disguise websites to avoid detection by automated systems.

“Basically, the content continues to replicate,” she said. “One site can grow to 75 sites and continue to camouflage itself to avoid detection by crawlers. However, that is no reason for us to continue updating our technology-"

Crawling refers to automated processes used by web bots and search engines to scan and index web pages. Hafid said the ministry is continuing technological updates in efforts targeting online gambling content.

Child exposure raises concern

The ministry’s latest actions follow reports that nearly 200,000 Indonesian children have been exposed to online gambling, including about 80,000 children under the age of 10.

“This figure is a serious threat to the country’s future generations,” Hafid said in a written statement.

She added that online gambling affects household finances and social conditions in communities.

“We have heard many tragic stories from the public. This is not just about money, but about the destruction of the future of children and family tranquility. We must stop this together,” she said.

Hafid also described online gambling platforms as systems designed to disadvantage users over time.

“Online gambling is a scam with a system designed to ensure players almost always lose in the long run,” she said.

Digital platforms under pressure

The minister said enforcement measures and website takedowns alone would not stop the spread of online gambling activity.

“We are not only shutting down access or carrying out takedowns. The most important thing is reaching the wider public with these facts so that awareness grows from within families and communities,” Hafid said.

She added that the government is continuing digital literacy efforts involving families, religious leaders, community organizations, and local communities.

Hafid also pointed to the growing number of online gambling advertisements appearing on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

According to the ministry, requests have been made for social media companies to remove gambling-related content more quickly.

“Online gambling is prohibited in Indonesia. All parties must share the same moral and legal responsibility,” Hafid said.

The ministry also cited cooperation involving police, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), banks and digital platforms in efforts against online gambling operations.

Hayam Wuruk operation

Indonesia’s recent enforcement campaign included a May 9 police operation targeting an international online gambling syndicate operating from Hayam Wuruk Plaza Tower in Jakarta.

Authorities arrested 320 foreign nationals during the operation, including 57 Chinese nationals, 228 Vietnamese nationals, 11 Laotians, 13 Myanmar nationals, three Malaysians, three Cambodians, and five Thai nationals.

The operation involved organized cross-border digital networks using electronic systems for online gambling activities.

Indonesian lawmaker Rudianto Lallo, who serves on the House of Representatives’ Commission III overseeing legal and security affairs, called for online gambling to be treated as a national enemy following the findings.

Lallo said President Prabowo Subianto had stated there should be no place in Indonesia for perpetrators of online gambling crimes. He also said investigations linked to the syndicate should continue in order to dismantle the network completely.