Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) will impose sanctions on Electronic System Providers (ESP) facilitating online gambling activities. Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi stated that the sanction would be the revocation of their registration.
“Kominfo will revoke the registration of the ESP. Hence, they will no longer be registered, which makes them illegal within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Indonesia. Subsequently, the Financial Services Authority and Bank Indonesia can revoke their licenses. Once we revoke the registration, the PSE will be considered illegal,” Budi said at the Kominfo Ministry Office.
According to the letter sent to the ESPs, Minister Budi Arie requested that each provider not facilitate online gambling activities within their electronic systems. He stated, “As of yesterday, I have signed letters for more than 11,000 Electronic System Providers to create an Integrity Pact immediately.”
Therefore, the Minister requested that each ESP representative sign the Integrity Pact for Eradicating Online Gambling. He led the reading of the declaration with 11 representatives from the National Payment System Associations and Organizations. “The Integrity Pact reinforces the government’s commitment to eradicating online gambling activities facilitated by PSEs operating in Indonesia,” Budi added.
Furthermore, the Integrity Pact signed by the National Payment System Associations and Organizations applies to PSEs operating both domestically and internationally. Budi explained, “So we are waiting for more than 11,000 PSEs, not only from within the country but also from foreign social media platforms. For example, BigoLive, which I have warned for the second time because it not only involves gambling but also pornography. Soon, I will ask the analysis team to shut it down if necessary. We will shut it down! We want a healthy and productive digital space for society.”
In more detail, the Integrity Pact for Eradicating Online Gambling by PSEs contains three points. First, regular inspections, supervision, and all necessary forms of prevention and risk mitigation from the aspects of human resources, technology management, and policies within the PSE environment must be conducted to ensure that the electronic system does not facilitate online gambling activities in any form.
Second, campaigns and education should be conducted to raise awareness about the dangers of online gambling activities, as the government recommends to all employees, staff, and other relevant parties involved in the operation of electronic systems.
Lastly, support the government’s efforts to prevent and eradicate online gambling content following the applicable laws and regulations.
