Indonesia freezes 39,923 bank accounts linked to online gambling networks
OJK-led operation targets payment chains after authorities report Rp86.8tn collected in H1 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Indonesian authorities froze 39,923 bank accounts linked to online gambling, up 1,127 since October 2026.
- PPATK reported online gambling schemes collected Rp86.8 trillion ($4.79 billion) in the first half of 2026.
- More than 4.03 million gambling websites were shut down between October 2024 and September 2026.
- The operation is a coordinated effort by OJK, Bank Indonesia, PPATK and the Indonesian National Police.
Indonesian authorities have frozen 39,923 bank accounts linked to internet gambling, an increase of 1,127 accounts since October 2026, the Financial Services Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan, OJK) said on 9 November 2026. The action forms part of a coordinated effort to disrupt funding for illegal gaming operators by tightening bank verification and closing connected accounts.
Scope and intelligence
The Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) reported that online gambling schemes collected as much as Rp86.8 trillion ($4.79 billion) in the first half of 2026. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs disclosed that more than 4.03 million gambling websites were taken down between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2026.
Who is involved and what banks must do
The operation brings together the Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK), Bank Indonesia, PPATK and the Indonesian National Police through financial oversight, banking restrictions and law enforcement. Regulators require banks to carry out customer verification, monitor suspicious transactions and check for any connected accounts owned by the same customer. The OJK described the measures as necessary to halt networks financing illegal operators.
"It is important to deal with both gambling systems in cyberspace and payment systems used by those illegal businesses," Deputy Minister Nezar Patria said, outlining the dual focus on websites and payments.
The coordinated approach combines site takedowns, banking freezes and criminal investigation powers to remove infrastructure and financial flows that support illegal casino activity. The OJK noted the immediate closures respond to the scale of funds reported by PPATK.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bank accounts did Indonesia freeze linked to online gambling?
Authorities froze 39,923 bank accounts linked to internet gambling, an increase of 1,127 accounts since October 2026, according to the Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK).
How much money did online gambling schemes collect in early 2026?
The Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) reported online gambling schemes collected Rp86.8 trillion ($4.79 billion) in the first half of 2026.
Which agencies are cooperating in the crackdown?
The Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK), Bank Indonesia, PPATK and the Indonesian National Police are coordinating the effort, combining financial oversight, banking restrictions and law enforcement.
How many gambling websites were taken down during the enforcement period?
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs said more than 4.03 million gambling websites were shut down from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2026.
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About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
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