Thousands of Indonesians tied to Cambodia-led online gambling ring

Indonesian minister calls for stronger cross-border cooperation and AML enforcement.

Thousands of Indonesian citizens are believed to be involved in running online gambling operations in the Philippines, linked to a network managed from Cambodia, according to Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Security Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra.

Yusril made the statement during a presentation at the Central Reporting and Analysis Center for Financial Transactions (PPATK) in Jakarta, according to Tempo. The session, titled Strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Committee in Preventing and Combating Online Gambling-related Crimes, addressed the transnational scope of gambling operations.

Yusril said he received information from the Philippine Minister of Justice that thousands of Indonesians were involved in controlling gambling activities in the Philippines under Cambodian supervision.

“When I met the Minister of Justice of the Philippines two months ago, I was informed that thousands of Indonesian citizens are in the Philippines controlling online gambling operations coordinated from Cambodia,” he said.

He added that ongoing cooperation between the Philippine and Cambodian governments had reduced such activities in the Philippines, though many operators had since relocated to Phnom Penh.

Indonesia prohibits all forms of online gambling, but enforcement remains a challenge due to cross-border operations and digital payment systems that obscure transaction origins.

Yusril emphasised that online gambling is not a conventional betting activity but a form of transnational organised crime often tied to money laundering and terrorism financing.

He urged stronger collaboration among the National Committee for the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (TPPU Committee), law enforcement and international partners.

He noted that the PPATK plays a central role by analysing suspicious transactions and halting those potentially linked to gambling. With coordinated action, he said, Indonesia could more effectively disrupt the networks facilitating illegal gambling across borders.

https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/31825/thousands-of-indonesians-tied-to-cambodia-led-online-gambling-ring