Indonesia Orders Banks to Review Nearly 40,000 Accounts Linked to Suspected Illegal Gambling

Indonesia's Financial Services Authority has instructed banks to conduct enhanced checks and potentially block 39,923 accounts suspected of involvement in illegal online gambling, expanding the country's financial enforcement campaign.

Indonesia is intensifying its efforts to disrupt the financing of illegal online gambling by directing banks to investigate thousands of potentially suspicious accounts.

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) announced on November 5 that it had requested enhanced due diligence and, where appropriate, blocking measures for approximately 39,923 bank accounts identified through information provided by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs.

OJK banking supervision chief Dian Ediana Rae confirmed the measures during a press conference covering the regulator's October activities.

The number of flagged accounts increased by 1,127 from October 5, when approximately 38,796 accounts had been reported.

Under the instructions, banks must conduct additional checks on customers and transaction patterns. The regulator has also requested wider account investigations using national identity numbers associated with suspected online gambling activities.

However, the figure of 39,923 represents accounts referred for further examination and/or blocking. It does not mean every account has already been frozen or closed.

The latest action forms part of a broader government strategy involving payment supervision, financial intelligence, website restrictions and criminal investigations.

Earlier figures from Indonesian authorities indicated that online gambling-related financial transactions reached approximately Rp86.8 trillion during the first half of 2026.

The government is coordinating efforts among OJK, Bank Indonesia, financial intelligence agency PPATK, telecommunications authorities and the national police.

For financial institutions and payment service providers, the latest measures underline growing expectations around customer due diligence and transaction monitoring. Their effectiveness will depend on accurate identification of suspicious activity while maintaining appropriate safeguards for legitimate customers