Indonesia has intensified its fight against illegal online gambling by directing commercial banks to freeze or investigate more than 36,000 bank accounts suspected of facilitating unlawful betting activities.
As reported by local media, Financial Services Authority (OJK) Chief Executive for Banking Supervision Dian Ediana Rae announced that banks have been instructed to conduct enhanced due diligence (EDD) or immediately block 36,191 accounts identified through information provided by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs.
The directive goes beyond freezing individual accounts. Banks have also been instructed to identify and close other accounts associated with the same National Identification Number (NIK) of individuals suspected of involvement in online gambling operations.
According to Dian, financial institutions must carry out comprehensive due diligence to verify that customer identities, account activities and transaction patterns comply with Indonesia's banking regulations. The measures are intended to prevent the country's banking system from being exploited for illegal gambling and other financial crimes that could threaten economic and financial stability.
The latest figures represent an increase of 2,355 accounts compared with the regulator's previous enforcement update, reflecting continued efforts to identify additional financial channels used by online gambling syndicates.
The banking intervention forms part of a broader nationwide crackdown targeting both the financial and digital infrastructure supporting illegal gambling operations.
Alongside the financial measures, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is working with Meta to establish a dedicated task force aimed at curbing the spread of online gambling advertisements and promotional content across social media platforms.
By combining tighter financial surveillance with stronger digital enforcement, Indonesian authorities hope to disrupt the flow of funds to illegal gambling operators while reducing their ability to recruit new users online. The coordinated approach underscores the government's growing focus on tackling online gambling through cooperation between financial regulators, technology companies and law enforcement agencies.
The number of accounts targeted has increased to 36,191, up from 33,836 previously identified by authorities
