The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics has blocked 566,000 online gambling content items since 2018.

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) has blocked 566,332 pieces of online gambling content from 2018 to August 22, 2022.

Details show that Kominfo blocked 84,484 pieces of online gambling content in 2018. Then, in 2019, Kominfo blocked 78,306 pieces of online gambling content.

The number of blocked online gambling content increased again to 80,305 in 2020. Then, in 2021, the number of blocked content drastically increased to 204,917.

Meanwhile, in 2022, Kominfo has blocked 118,320 pieces of content up to August.

Director General of Informatics Applications at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Semuel A Pangerapan, stated that his institution has blocked online gambling websites based on findings from cyber patrols, public reports, and government institution reports.

"These cyber patrols are supported by a negative internet site monitoring system, or AIS, which operates 24 hours a day," said Semuel in a press statement on Monday (August 22, 2022).

There are three challenges faced by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics in blocking online gambling websites, namely:

1. Online gambling sites are reproduced with similar domain names or using IP addresses.
2. Online gambling offers are made through personal messages, making them impossible for the Ministry of Communication and Informatics to monitor.
3. Law enforcement related to gambling activities is regulated differently in each country, thus raising jurisdictional issues regarding law enforcement against online gambling operators located outside Indonesia.

Semuel said that these challenges emphasize that the eradication of online gambling requires the involvement of all elements, including the government, the public, and industry players.

To support this joint effort, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics has opened a public complaint channel via the link https://aduankonten.id/ to report the discovery of negative content on digital platforms. In addition, complaints can also be made via the @aduanPPI Twitter account belonging to the Ministry of Communication and Informatics for reports of misuse of telecommunication services, including receiving online gambling messages sent via SMS.