Since a large percentage of the population in Indonesia is Muslim, the country has among of the world’s toughest gambling laws. About 85 percent of the local population follows Islam, and the majority of Muslims hold the view that gambling should be illegal.
Below, you’ll find a detailed essay on Indonesia’s gaming laws.
Casino Games and Their Regulatory Status
In general, Indonesia takes the position that gambling is outlawed throughout the country. By international standards, this is rather exceptional. Some, albeit restricted, types of gambling are legal in even the most conservative of countries.
Approximately 85% of Indonesia’s population adheres to Islam, which outlaws gambling, contributing to the severe nature of the country’s gaming laws.
Let’s take a closer look at the legal framework surrounding each type of gaming in Indonesia.
Gaming
Gambling at casinos is against the law in Indonesia. There is not a single casino resort in the entire country, despite the fact that the collection of 17,500 islands is one of the top holiday destinations in the globe.
As a natural consequence, several casino games, like Blackjack and Roulette, have been forced underground and are now run secretly. In the end, these illegal operations are frequently exposed, resulting in harsh punishments for everyone involved, including many unwary tourists.
Within the confines of the island nation, online casino gambling is prohibited. Anyone caught internet gambling in the country faces up to 5 years in prison. However, this has been difficult to implement, and many reputable online casinos continue to welcome players from Indonesia.
Poker
Poker, along with other kinds of gambling on tables, is outlawed in Indonesia. Like other card games, poker in the country has been forced underground, with police frequently busting underground locations and severely punishing players.
Online poker is illegal in the country due to its association with gambling. This includes both online casino games played against a computer and player-hosted games on pure poker sites. Online poker is illegal in Indonesia, and those found doing so could spend several years behind bars.
Many people in Indonesia still try their luck at one of the many offshore gambling sites, such as online casinos or poker rooms, despite the risks involved.
Bingo
Bingo is seen more casually in certain nations, especially when it is played at charity fairs. Unfortunately, this is not the situation in Indonesia, where staking is still considered gambling and hence forbidden by Sharia Law. That’s why there aren’t any bingo halls or social bingo gatherings for charity anywhere in the country.
The government of Indonesia has gone to considerable measures to prevent its citizens from gaining access to any offshore sites that provide online bingo services.
Lotteries
Because lottery wagering is so ingrained in the culture of many nations, it is rarely seen as gambling. In many countries where gambling of any kind is prohibited, state-run lotteries are nonetheless allowed. However, with one notable exception, this is not the case in Indonesia.
Even the ability to authorize a free lottery, which borders on gambling and is frowned upon by many in the Muslim community, is under increased scrutiny.
Many people living in Indonesia still have access to and play real money online lottery games at one of the many online casinos.
Participatory Video Games
So, what do you think of the many social casinos that use virtual chips instead of real money? Despite the fact that nothing of monetary worth is actually withdrawable from these services, they are nevertheless a type of gambling. Gambling of any kind is forbidden in Indonesia, and some social casinos go even farther by allowing members to purchase more play chips with real money.
Because it involves betting on items of perceived worth in games of risk, the growing phenomenon of skins gambling would likewise be outlawed in Indonesia. Gambling with virtual currencies like bitcoin, as well as fantasy sports betting and virtual sports betting, are all banned in Indonesia.
Legality of Sports Betting in Indonesia
Massive sports betting on the Euro 2012 football tournament is widely cited as the impetus for Indonesia’s total ban on gambling. The government of Indonesia has revealed plans to outlaw gambling outright, rather than figure out a way to transform it into a new source of money for the region.
Therefore, there are no legitimate bookmakers operating in Indonesia. There may be pockets of illegal sports betting across the country, but those involved run the risk of being discovered and subject to severe penalties.
Sports betting, like internet casino games, is outlawed in the country. But many Indonesians still enjoy their favorite activity by signing up for one of the several online sports betting companies that welcome players from Indonesia.
Maximum Gambling Age Set at 21
Since all kinds of gambling are prohibited in Indonesia, there is no minimum age requirement.
Controlling Taxes
Due to the fact that gambling in any form is illegal in Indonesia, the country has no gambling tax regulations.
The Evolution of Gambling Legislation in Indonesia
Despite the country’s severe stance on gambling now, it was once legal in Indonesia. Ali Sadikin, governor of Jakarta from 1966 to 1977, is well known for having legalized gaming to raise funds for the city’s infrastructure development.
The national budget increased from Rp 66 million to nearly Rp 89 billion as a direct result of the legalization and proliferation of gambling in the form of casinos, lotteries, and sports betting. New institutions including universities, hospitals, and marketplaces were built with this windfall.
By 1981, all three of Jakarta’s casinos had closed their doors, and by the late ’80s, all forms of gambling had been outlawed in the city. After sports betting on the Euro 2012 football tournament became extremely popular, the government passed legislation prohibiting all types of gambling in Article 303 of the Criminal Code.
The Nuts and Bolts of Online Gambling in Indonesia
The most important information about online gambling in Indonesia is that it is illegal and has penalties of up to five years in prison, a heavy fine, or even public caning. This is due to the widespread opinion among Muslims that gambling violates Sharia Law.
The free lottery, which operates legally but is nevertheless subject to criticism, is the lone exception.
various people in Indonesia still take advantage of the various online casinos that welcome Indonesian players in order to play casino games like slots, Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, and others, despite the legal climate, the heavy sanctions, and the government’s efforts to prohibit online gambling.