During the APEC Summit held in South Korea, President Prabowo addressed leaders from member economies including China and South Korea, calling for a joint effort to combat illegal online gambling. He stressed that the issue has transcended national borders and requires coordinated cross-border action, extending also to the fight against smuggling, corruption, and other financial crimes. 

The summit, themed “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,” gathered representatives from 21 economies, underscoring the importance of regional collaboration.

Prabowo revealed that Indonesia loses an estimated USD 8 billion (IDR 133 trillion) annually due to online gambling, with capital flight directly undermining the national economy. Citing The Jakarta Globe, he noted that gambling not only carries financial risks but also erodes social cohesion and fuels cybercrimes such as data theft. 

A Lancet study further found that around 72 million people worldwide suffer from gambling-related harm, a figure exacerbated by digital platforms. Meanwhile, UN reports have identified Southeast Asia as a hotspot for cybercrime.

To combat illegal gambling, the Indonesian government has intensified its enforcement efforts. In August, the Financial Services Authority ordered banks to freeze nearly 26,000 linked accounts, tighten due diligence, and use the national identity database to detect suspicious activity. 

Justice Minister Yusril emphasized the need to target financial institutions as the root channel, using asset tracing and seizure to dismantle gambling networks. He also urged religious organizations to play a role in public education to fill the awareness gap.

Global Cooperation and Outlook

President Prabowo called for “global solidarity” to enhance digital security and technological resilience, while promoting SME growth and healthcare improvements. Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to advancing cooperation within the APEC framework to prevent cross-border crimes and leverage demographic advantages. 

Analysts noted that the increasing sophistication of transnational criminal networks demands more efficient international coordination to safeguard regional stability and public trust.