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Authorities want to close the loophole that keeps illegal betting sites within reach.
The Indonesian government is preparing new regulations aimed at restricting the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), a tool widely used to bypass site-blocking measures. Officials say VPNs have turned enforcement into a “cat-and-mouse” game, allowing users to access gambling and pornography websites that the state has already blacklisted.
The draft rules are being coordinated by the Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam), which has made online gambling enforcement a national priority.
Why VPNs are in the spotlight
VPNs have become the backdoor to restricted gambling platforms.
Indonesia already blocks thousands of illegal betting websites, but VPNs make those efforts less effective. By masking a user’s location, VPNs can trick systems into thinking someone is browsing from outside the country. That means gambling platforms that should be blocked remain accessible with just a few clicks.
Government officials argue that unless VPN usage is brought under tighter control, the billions spent on enforcement and site-blocking technology will remain limited in impact.
What the government is planning
Two key areas are set to define the crackdown.
First, Indonesia wants to strengthen its site-blocking systems, making them faster and more adaptive against mirror sites. These are copycat domains often launched within hours of a platform being blocked.
Second, the government is drafting VPN-specific rules that could place restrictions on providers and end-users. Kemenko Polkam has called on legal and technology experts to weigh in, stressing the urgency of action as VPN adoption continues to rise.
How common is VPN use?
Nearly four in ten Indonesians go online with a VPN.
Indonesia is among the world’s top countries for VPN adoption. In 2022, nearly 39% of internet users reported using one. While some rely on VPNs for privacy or to access global content, experts estimate that around 30% of these users employ them to reach restricted sites, including gambling platforms.
That scale has made enforcement far more difficult. Even when authorities block thousands of domains, VPN users can continue betting online with little disruption.
Concerns over who is gambling
Experts warn that vulnerable groups are being exposed.
Professor Sinta Dewi Rosadi of Padjadjaran University highlighted the risks in public comments. She noted that many online gamblers earn less than IDR5m (US$309) a month, raising fears of families falling into debt due to gambling losses. Even more troubling, she said, is the possibility that children and teenagers are among those using VPNs to bypass restrictions and access betting platforms.
The government has echoed those concerns, arguing that without stricter VPN regulation, young people remain at risk of exposure to gambling and harmful content.
Part of a wider crackdown
Indonesia has stepped up enforcement across the digital space.
In recent years, authorities have intensified efforts to block illegal gambling websites, freeze payment flows, and prosecute operators. Financial regulators have ordered banks and e-wallet providers to cut ties with betting platforms, while law enforcement has targeted syndicates running cross-border operations.
The VPN push marks the latest front in this broader campaign. Officials believe that limiting VPN use, or at least tightening oversight, will be critical if the country is to reduce illegal gambling activity online.
What comes next
The draft rules are expected to enter consultation soon.
Kemenko Polkam has already invited input from academics, technology specialists, and legal experts as it shapes the framework. Once drafted, the regulations will be shared publicly for consultation before being submitted for government approval.
For Indonesia, the challenge is balancing digital freedoms with enforcement. VPNs remain popular for everyday browsing, but they have also become a gateway to unlicensed gambling platforms. The coming rules will show how far the government is willing to go in closing that gap.
Source: Focus Gaming News
