Indonesia arrests 300+ in Jakarta gambling raid

Indonesian authorities have arrested more than 300 foreign nationals in Jakarta following a major crackdown on illegal online gambling operations. The raid forms part of the government’s wider campaign against gambling-related crime and cross-border cyber networks operating within the country.

The operation took place on May 7 at a building in the Indonesian capital, where police discovered an active online gambling centre allegedly targeting players outside Indonesia. According to police spokesperson Wira Satya Triputra, a total of 321 foreign nationals were detained during the raid.

Those arrested included 228 Vietnamese citizens, 57 Chinese nationals, 11 people from Laos, five Thai nationals, three Cambodians and three Malaysians. Authorities stated that 275 suspects are currently under investigation for alleged involvement in gambling and money laundering offences, while inquiries into the remaining individuals are ongoing.

Police said the suspects were caught while actively operating the online gambling business. Early findings suggest the network had been running for around two months before law enforcement intervened. Officials also indicated that the operation mainly targeted foreign customers rather than Indonesian residents, although the specific markets involved were not disclosed.

Indonesia maintains strict anti-gambling laws, with penalties extending to operators, participants and even those promoting gambling content online. Despite these restrictions, illegal online gambling activity continues to grow, prompting authorities to intensify enforcement efforts across the country.

The Jakarta arrests come amid broader regional efforts to combat cybercrime and illegal online operations. Indonesian officials have previously warned that criminal groups forced out of other Asian markets have shifted parts of their operations into Indonesia and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.

Government estimates suggest online gambling transactions in Indonesia reached more than IDR280 trillion, equivalent to roughly $16.1 billion, during 2025. Authorities also estimated that nearly 12 million Indonesians participated in gambling-related activities during the same period.

The Jakarta case was not the only major enforcement action reported recently. In Batam, authorities arrested 210 foreign nationals linked to an alleged investment fraud operation. Earlier this year, police in Bali detained 39 Indian nationals after raiding two villas suspected of hosting illegal online gambling activities.

The latest operation highlights Indonesia’s continued efforts to crack down on illegal gambling networks and other forms of organised cybercrime involving foreign nationals.