Indonesian lawmakers are escalating their push for stricter controls over SIM card registration, identifying weak oversight in this area as a critical factor fuelling the rampant spread of online gambling, pervasive fraud, and access to illicit content like pornographic websites. This pressing issue took center stage during a recent Working Meeting held on Monday, July 7, 2025, between the House of Representatives’ Commission I and the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi). The parliamentary discussion underscores a determined governmental effort to close loopholes exploited by the shadow digital economy.

Frederik Kalalembang, a prominent member of Commission I, voiced sharp criticism of the current SIM card system, urging immediate and decisive action from the ministry. He explicitly linked the unclear status of SIM cards to being the primary “source of online gambling problems, fraud, and the initiation of pornographic sites.” Kalalembang called upon Komdigi to intensify its supervision of SIM card registrations and emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts with mobile network operators. His demand highlighted the imperative to prevent further increases in online gambling users by implementing more robust control mechanisms, suggesting that mobile operators should be actively engaged in resolving this widespread issue.

Broadening the Digital Enforcement Net

Responding to the concerns raised by Parliament, Komdigi Minister Meutya Viada Hafid clarified that the ministry has already initiated some measures. She explained that existing regulations currently limit one family identification number (NIK) to a maximum of three mobile numbers per operator. However, Minister Hafid acknowledged that while this policy is in place, it critically “does not regulate sanctions yet,” thus lacking effective enforcement mechanisms. To address this significant gap, Minister Hafid indicated that the ministry plans to consult internal units to explore avenues for introducing sanctions, suggesting the possibility of a new ministerial regulation that would impose penalties for violations of the SIM card registration limits.

This legislative push against SIM card misuse is part of a broader, intensified governmental strategy to regulate internet gaming in Indonesia. As part of this comprehensive effort, the government is actively developing new regulations that will significantly increase accountability for digital platforms, internet service providers (ISPs), and financial technology (fintech) corporations in preventing access to gambling information. Teguh Arifiyadi, Director for Certification and Electronic Transaction Supervision at Komdigi, explained that the upcoming “Government Regulation on Online Gambling Eradication” will be far-reaching, applying to all parties involved, whether directly or indirectly. Arifiyadi stressed that “The sanction will be even heavier, and all will be regulated in the government regulation,” indicating a move towards more severe penalties for non-compliance.

Protecting the Vulnerable and Combating Illicit Operations

A primary objective of the proposed regulation is to safeguard children from exposure to online gambling, a growing concern for authorities. Arifiyadi noted that many online gambling sites currently lack proper age restrictions, allowing unrestricted access. He highlighted compelling data, stating that “tens of thousands of children and teenagers are engaged in online gambling,” underscoring the urgent need for parental vigilance over children’s digital activities. Furthermore, Rieke Diah Pitaloka, a member of Commission VI, stressed the necessity for strict penalties against public figures and officials found to be involved in gambling, arguing that community leaders bear a moral responsibility to set a positive example.

The scale of Indonesia’s illegal online gambling market underscores the urgency of these legislative efforts. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) reportedly froze over 28,000 bank accounts in 2024 suspected of being used for online gambling, fraud, and drug trafficking, with a common method involving the takeover of dormant accounts. Earlier in June 2025, Indonesian authorities froze over 5,000 bank accounts linked to online gambling, with transactions through these accounts reaching approximately Rp600 trillion (about US$36.39 billion) in early 2024. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has already blocked over 1.3 million pieces of digital content related to gambling and pornography since October 2024. These blocking efforts have included nearly one million websites being taken down since the commencement of intensified enforcement. Authorities also found indications in June 2024 that 80,000 children under the age of 10 and 440,000 aged 10 to 20 had engaged in online gambling.

A Coordinated Response for Financial Integrity

The final draft of the new regulation is currently under review by the Ministry of Law. Once enacted, it is expected to provide a stronger legal foundation, enabling government bodies and service providers to coordinate effectively to block online gambling access and penalise those responsible. Enforcement efforts are increasingly targeting payment gateways and money flows, and the government seeks greater international cooperation to combat these cross-border criminal networks.

As online gambling continues its rapid expansion in Indonesia, lawmakers and government agencies appear determined to close existing loopholes, starting with tightening SIM card registration. This concerted effort to hold digital actors accountable aims to bring greater control over the online environment, protect vulnerable individuals, and safeguard the nation’s financial integrity against the pervasive threats posed by illegal digital activities.