Main Provisions of the Gambling Ordinance in Indonesia
The Indonesian Gambling Act is characterized by stringent regulations that effectively render all forms of gambling illegal in the country.
Initially, gambling laws were more relaxed in the 1960s, but a significant shift occurred in 1973 when the government, adhering to religious traditions, revoked all 1 Indonesia rupiah casino permits. Consequently, Indonesia transformed from a country that tolerated gambling to one strictly opposing it.
The enforcement of these laws is aggressive. The Indonesian authorities, including the Communications and Information Ministry, Social Affairs Ministry, and Religious Affairs Ministry, have collaborated to eliminate illegal online gambling.
- This includes blocking all online gambling sites and mobile casinos in Indonesia and enforcing current laws rigorously. The country has even imprisoned tourists for participating in online gambling within its borders.
- Tax implications are somewhat moot in this context, as gambling is illegal. Indonesian residents must file individual tax returns if their income exceeds a certain threshold. Still, no specific tax rules are applied to gambling winnings due to the assumption that residents abide by the law and do not partake in gambling.
- The law is so strict that even online casinos that are legally licensed in other territories but accept Indonesian players operate in a grey area. The penalties for engaging in gambling are severe, including imprisonment for up to 10 years and public beatings under Sharia Law.
Thus, there are no specific provisions regarding eligibility for online casino participation, such as age restrictions or residency requirements, as all forms of gambling are categorically illegal.