Indonesia orders banks to block nearly 40,000 gambling-linked accounts

Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) has instructed commercial banks to block 39,923 accounts linked to suspected illegal online gambling activities. The move aims to disrupt the financial networks supporting unauthorized betting operations.

The latest figure represents an increase of 1,127 accounts from the 38,796 identified in early October, reflecting continued scrutiny of suspicious banking activity. 

OJK Chief Executive of Banking Supervision Dian Ediana Rae announced the measures following the regulator's October 2026 Monthly Board of Commissioners Meeting, emphasizing the economic and financial risks associated with illegal online gambling.

Under the directive, banks must conduct enhanced due diligence (EDD) on flagged customers, including more detailed identity verification, account reviews and transaction monitoring.

Financial institutions have also been instructed to identify and block other active accounts connected to the same National Identity Number (NIK), extending enforcement beyond individual accounts initially identified as suspicious.

The measures form part of a broader government effort to restrict payment channels used by illegal gambling operators.

Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria recently called for closer coordination between OJK, Bank Indonesia, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) and the National Police to disrupt gambling-related financial transactions.

Enforcement has also extended to online platforms. Between October 2024 and September 2026, authorities removed or blocked approximately 4.03 million gambling-related content items as part of a wider digital enforcement campaign. 

The latest banking restrictions follow efforts by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs and the National Police to strengthen cooperation against cybercrime, including online fraud and transnational gambling operations.

Together, the measures reflect Indonesia's increasing focus on targeting both the financial infrastructure and digital platforms used to facilitate illegal online gambling.