Government and Authorities Firmly Combat Online Gambling, Social Assistance Education Continues to be Strengthened
Bandung – The West Java Regional Police’s Cyber Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) has uncovered an online gambling syndicate that utilized search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to expand the reach of its illegal sites. In operations conducted from 2023 to 2025, six suspects were arrested in several areas, including Karawang.
Acting Head of Public Relations for the West Java Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Irfan Nurmansyah, explained that the perpetrators deliberately boosted the rankings of online gambling sites to appear on the main search engine pages.
“Their modus operandi is to use SEO to boost the rankings of online gambling sites in search engines. The goal is to make these sites easier for the public to find,” he said at a press conference at the West Java Regional Police Headquarters, Bandung, Friday (August 22, 2025).
He added that the syndicate operated a website called Garuda Website, which advertised five online gambling sites with monthly profits of Rp 10 to 15 million. As a result of the raid, police confiscated 11 laptops, eight cell phones, 59 Visa cards, Rp 7 million in cash, one bank account, and two cars.
“From their total activities over two years, their profits are estimated to have reached Rp 500 million,” said Irfan.
The Deputy Director of Special Crimes at the West Java Regional Police, AKBP Mujianto, explained that each suspect had a specific role. Some were responsible for creating the website, managing finances, and writing articles. In fact, some of the sites promoted were based overseas, such as in Cambodia. The Head of Sub-Directorate 2 of the Special Crimes Directorate of the West Java Regional Police, AKBP Afrito Marbaro, emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing.
“We are also tracing international networks, including in Canada, and have coordinated with the Ministry of Communication and Information to block related sites,” he said.
The authorities’ success in uncovering this network is clear evidence of the government’s and the police’s commitment to eradicating online gambling practices that harm the public.
On the other hand, the regional government also reminded the public that social assistance (bansos) distributed by the state should not be misused for illegal activities. When distributing social assistance in Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa reminded beneficiaries to use the aid wisely.
“We hope that with this social assistance, beneficiaries will avoid loan sharks and online loans. Of course, it should not be used for online gambling,” she emphasized.
She emphasized that social assistance, which largely focuses on economic empowerment, must be used to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“If it is used for unproductive purposes, especially online gambling, the empowerment goals will certainly not be achieved,” Khofifah said.
Social assistance distribution in Sidoarjo reached IDR 4.9 billion, sourced from the Social Services Agency, the Community and Village Empowerment Agency, and East Java Regional-Owned Enterprises. This assistance is distributed in various forms, including the Family Hope Plus Program, assistance for people with disabilities, direct cash assistance (BLT) for cigarette factory workers, and productive business capital for MSMEs.
Efforts to educate people about the use of this social assistance program go hand in hand with firm action against online gambling perpetrators. The central and regional governments, as well as law enforcement officials, continue to collaborate to protect the public from the harmful impacts of digital gambling practices and to ensure they experience the tangible benefits of social protection programs. —
[ed]
