Indonesia seeks Meta’s support in fight against online gambling
At a time when Indonesia continues to crack down on illegal online gambling, Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani has called on digital platforms to step up efforts to combat the spread of gambling-related content online. During her recent visit to the headquarters of tech giant Meta in Menlo Park, Silicon Valley, California, Puan urged greater collaboration between the Indonesian government and global tech companies. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, is one of the key platforms used widely in Indonesia.
She was welcomed by Andy O’Connell, Vice President of Product Policy & Strategy at Meta, along with Indonesian citizens working at the company, including Berni Moestafa, Head of Public Policy for Indonesia and Timor Leste.
Indonesia among countries with highest online gambling blocks
Puan praised Meta for its active role in supporting Indonesia’s efforts to fight online gambling. According to Berni Moestafa, Indonesia is among the countries where Meta has blocked the most online gambling-related content and accounts.
“Meta’s concrete steps to block thousands of pieces of content and accounts related to online gambling have helped protect the Indonesian people from illegal gambling activities,” Puan said.
She highlighted the dangers of online gambling, calling it an illegal activity that brings negative impacts to society.
“Online gambling has serious social impacts — from family financial losses and potential criminal activities to the destruction of the younger generation,” she said.
She stressed that joint efforts are necessary to tackle the problem effectively. “Collaboration with digital platforms is very important to ensure this kind of content has no room to grow in cyberspace.”
Strengthening the digital space
During the visit, Puan was given a tour of Meta’s latest technologies, including its artificial intelligence systems, digital security tools, and automatic content detection capabilities. She noted the importance of keeping Indonesia’s digital space healthy and safe.
“As the country with the fourth-largest number of Instagram users in the world, Indonesia needs to promote policies that can optimise the use of social media and digital platforms positively and responsibly,” she said. “Indonesia must continue to take various measures to fight online gambling,” Puan added.
Berkunjung ke kantor pusat Meta @Meta di Sillicon Valley, di Carolina Utara, California. Grup teknologi yang menaungi @instagram, @facebook dan @WhatsApp.
— Puan Maharani (@puanmaharani_ri) June 14, 2025
Ngobrol dengan VP of Product Policy & Strategy Meta, Andy O’Connell yang menjelaskan berbagai fasilitas yang ada di Meta,… pic.twitter.com/LTqm7Wepbr
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), she wrote, “Indonesia is among the countries most affected by blocking, especially online gambling accounts. Indonesia is one of the top users of social media in the world. Policies related to social media and technology must always be updated.”
Strict laws and crackdown measures
As the government steps up its move against illegal online gambling and digital threats, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) has reported blocking more than 1.3 million pieces of gambling-related content between October 2024 and May 2025.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Ministry for the Protection of Migrant Workers (KP2MI) has also increased efforts to stop the trafficking of citizens through false overseas job offers, especially in Cambodia’s online gambling sector, which has become closely linked to labour exploitation and organised crime.
Indonesia continues its strict action on illegal gambling, which is banned for both citizens and foreigners. Those caught gambling can face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 25 million rupiah ($1,520). Authorities have linked gambling addiction to rising crime and an increase in high-interest loans. The country’s leading Islamic scholar body considers cockfighting as haram (forbidden).
