Indonesia intensifies monitoring of foreign visitors after major gambling raid

(AsiaGameHub) –   Indonesian officials have stepped up monitoring of foreign visitors after a major police raid in the capital uncovered a large-scale online gambling network that involved 320 foreign nationals.

The operation, which was first reported by Indonesia’s state news agency ANTARA, has pushed government officials to increase surveillance of potential locations that could be used for illegal gambling operations.

Speaking in Bekasi, West Java, Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto confirmed that his ministry is expanding oversight to stop similar illegal operations from growing.

“I have directed the Director General to ramp up surveillance at all locations that could potentially be used to host activities like this,” he said.

The detainees, who include people from Vietnam, China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia, have been turned over to immigration authorities. Investigations are focused on potential immigration violations, including misuse of stay permits and visa rules.

According to local reporting, the syndicate ran its operation with a clear hierarchical structure out of a commercial building in West Jakarta. Police arrested the suspects while they were actively carrying out illegal online gambling activities.

The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections plans to coordinate with the Indonesian National Police to monitor for additional cases of this activity.

A ban on gambling&nbsp

All types of gambling, both land-based and online, are illegal in Indonesia for both foreigners and locals. The 1974 Control of Gambling Law describes gambling as “contrary to religion, decency and the morals of Pancasila, and dangerous to the life of the community, nation and state”.

Indonesia first started introducing new legislation to crack down on online gambling in 2024. As of last month, Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority has blocked 33,252 bank accounts that were used to fund online gambling operations since the legislation went into effect.

When it comes to penalties, people found gambling can face prison sentences of up to five years and fines of up to 1 billion rupiah (US$66,000).

Migrations and World Cup worries

This latest crackdown follows a broader trend across Southeast Asia, where online gambling and scam networks often move their bases of operation in response to enforcement pressure in individual countries.

Indonesian police believe this is especially true after a large-scale crackdown on gambling in Cambodia, where many operators that left that country could have relocated to Indonesia.

National Police spokesperson Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko specifically highlighted concerns about the timing of this discovery ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

“We must work together to prepare for football-related gambling,” Trunoyudo noted. “But we cannot let this event be exploited for illegal activities that cause financial harm. Cheer for your favorite team with positive enthusiasm. Do not let excessive fanaticism disrupt public security and order.”