Indonesia Tightens Grip on Online Gambling: 27,395 Bank Accounts to Be Blocked

The move forms part of a sweeping national crackdown aimed at curbing online betting operations that have been draining the economy and disrupting the financial system.

OJK’s Chief Executive of Banking Supervision, Dian Ediana Rae, revealed that the number of accounts targeted has grown from 25,912 in the previous month, underscoring the government’s intensified monitoring measures.

“In addressing the extensive economic and financial impact of online gambling, OJK has instructed banks to block approximately 27,395 accounts,” Dian stated.

Data-driven enforcement

According to OJK, the decision to block these accounts stems from data provided by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), combined with the regulator’s own internal analysis.

Banks have been instructed to close accounts connected to National Identity Numbers (NIK) identified as being tied to gambling-related activity. Furthermore, OJK has called on financial institutions to apply Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) to reinforce surveillance of suspicious transactions.

Banking sector remains resilient

Despite the crackdown, Dian emphasized that the Indonesian banking sector remains robust. Bank credit climbed 7.56% year-on-year (yoy) to IDR 8.07 quadrillion as of August 2025.

Investment loans led growth at 13.86%,

Consumer loans rose 7.89%, and

Working capital loans increased 3.53% yoy.

Meanwhile, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) credit continued to gain momentum, representing 0.30% of total bank lending. According to OJK’s Financial Information Service System (SLIK), outstanding BNPL credit soared 32.35% yoy to IDR 24.33 trillion, with 29.33 million accounts recorded.

Stable liquidity and strong fundamentals

On the funding side, Third-Party Funds (DPK) grew 8.51% yoy to IDR 9.39 quadrillion, driven by current account expansion of 15.01%, alongside savings and time deposit increases of 5.52% and 5.73%, respectively.

Liquidity remained solid, with the Liquid Assets to Third-Party Funds (AL/DPK) ratio at 27.25%, comfortably above the 10% minimum. Asset quality was steady, as gross Non-Performing Loans (NPL) stood at 2.28%, and net NPL at 0.87%.

The Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) reached 26.03%, reflecting strong resilience amid global economic headwinds.

Broader implications for the gambling ecosystem

The latest wave of account suspensions marks one of Indonesia’s largest coordinated actions against online gambling to date. Authorities have signaled that similar enforcement measures will continue as they pursue both operators and financial intermediaries supporting illicit gaming platforms.

As OJK tightens compliance and oversight, the crackdown serves as a clear warning to local and offshore operators that Indonesia’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal gambling is here to stay.