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Indonesia’s financial intelligence agency, PPATK, has requested an additional IDR516.4 billion, or US$31.7 million, for its 2027 budget to strengthen efforts against online gambling, money laundering, and terrorism financing. If approved, the increase would raise the agency’s total budget to IDR769.8 billion, or US$47.3 million, more than triple its current allocation.
Funding Request Details
PPATK said the extra funding is needed to support its work across several key areas, including transaction monitoring, financial investigations, compliance activities, international cooperation, and technology systems. The agency’s request comes as Indonesian authorities continue to intensify their crackdown on online gambling activity.
The budget proposal reflects the scale of the enforcement work PPATK says it must handle as digital financial channels continue to be used in gambling-related transactions. The agency has pointed to the need for stronger resources to track financial flows and support wider enforcement efforts.
Gambling Risks Under Review
This week, PPATK warned that gambling-related transactions could increase during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after detecting patterns similar to those seen before previous major football tournaments. The agency also said Indonesia’s QRIS digital payment system has been used for football betting transactions.
According to PPATK, some gambling funds have also been moved through nominee bank accounts. Those findings were included as part of the agency’s broader concern that betting activity can quickly rise around major sporting events, especially when digital payment systems are involved.
Even though online gambling turnover declined in 2025, the country still recorded 422.1 million gambling transactions and IDR36.01 trillion, or US$2.4 billion, in deposits during the year. Those figures suggest the scale of illegal gambling activity remains significant despite the drop in turnover.
Support In Parliament
The proposal has already received backing from lawmakers, who say PPATK needs more resources to track and recover assets linked to financial crimes and illegal gambling operations. Their support adds political weight to the request as it moves through the budget process.
The agency’s call for a larger allocation comes at a time when authorities are maintaining pressure on online gambling networks. The funding increase, if approved, would give PPATK more room to expand its monitoring and investigation capacity while also supporting its cooperation with other agencies and international partners.
Enforcement Pressure Continues
Indonesia’s crackdown on online gambling remains active as PPATK seeks to widen its operational capacity. The agency’s budget request is closely tied to the scale of the financial crime challenges it says it is facing, including illegal betting and money laundering.
With lawmakers already expressing support, the proposal now stands as part of the country’s broader enforcement effort. The final outcome will determine how far PPATK can expand its response to online gambling and related financial crimes in 2027.
Source: Focus Gaming News
