Indonesia's Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has reported a sharp increase in financial activity linked to online gambling during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The agency identified RP1.02trn in suspected deposits as operators sought to capitalize on heightened interest in football.
According to the agency, more than six million deposit transactions were detected between mid-June and July. During the same period, PPATK temporarily froze 2,815 accounts suspected of being connected to online gambling, with combined balances totaling RP325.43bn.
While the World Cup created a noticeable spike in betting-related activity, PPATK's broader data suggests Indonesia's online gambling landscape is also evolving. During the first half of 2026, the total value of funds circulating through suspected online gambling transactions fell 12.9% year-over-year to RP86.82trn. However, transaction volume increased dramatically, rising 167.2% to 467.32 million transactions.
Deposit activity followed a similar pattern. Total deposits climbed 26% to RP22.05trn, while the number of deposit transactions surged 140% to 226.76 million.
PPATK said the increase in transaction volume should not be interpreted as a direct measure of gambling growth. The agency attributed the trend partly to improved monitoring capabilities and greater reporting by financial institutions. It also noted that illegal gambling operators are increasingly breaking payments into smaller, more frequent transactions to reduce the likelihood of detection.
QRIS, Indonesia's national QR payment system, emerged as the dominant payment channel during the first half of the year. The platform accounted for RP12.36trn, or 56.04%, of total gambling-related deposits, while representing 198.77 million transactions, equivalent to 87.66% of all detected deposits.
Separately, Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) said it has now blocked 36,191 bank accounts suspected of being linked to online gambling, up from 33,836 accounts previously identified.
Indonesia prohibits gambling, with authorities continuing to intensify financial monitoring and enforcement against online gambling networks using the country's banking and digital payment infrastructure
