Indonesia is planning to launch a nationwide campaign to combat illegal gambling and online fraud ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The authorities warn that football may trigger another big jump in betting activity nationwide. This development comes as the country saw record betting during Eid 2026.
Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said law enforcement agencies are already placing new preventive measures in place before the tournament begins in June.
Officials fear that illegal betting operators may once again use the popularity of the World Cup to attract users through social media promotions, fraudulent websites and pirated livestreams.
Hotline and campaigns launched
“We must anticipate the rise of football gambling,” Trunoyudo said. “We cannot allow this momentum to be exploited for unlawful activities that could result in public loss.”
Indonesia strictly bars most forms of gambling, but authorities have continued to face challenges linked to online betting platforms as foreign operators use networks and encrypted digital channels to subdue the existing restrictions.
Source: Polri.go.id
Police are urging the public to report suspected gambling activity and online scams on Indonesia’s national 110 complaint hotline. Authorities have also warned TVRI, the country’s official broadcaster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to launch a special reporting channel to report suspected betting activities.
Officials say illegal operators frequently exploit pirated football streams to promote betting platforms, often flashing gambling advertisements or redirecting viewers to betting websites. With major sporting events attracting millions of online viewers, authorities fear illegal gambling networks could spread even faster during the World Cup period.
Similar patterns seen in 2022
Part of the concern comes from Indonesia’s experience during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when authorities saw a sharp rise in gambling-related activity online.
By the end of that year, the Communications and Information Ministry said it had blocked more than 118,000 pieces of online gambling content, highlighting both the scale of the problem and the government’s efforts to curb it.
Local media reports at the time also noted that authorities increased monitoring of digital platforms during the tournament, amid fears that football fans were being increasingly targeted by gambling promotions and online scams.
Research published by TGM Research in 2022 suggested that there was already significant public interest in betting on the World Cup in Indonesia. According to the survey, 79 per cent of respondents said they intended to place bets on tournament matches.
The same report also says that the World Cup is popular, with large majorities expressing interest in watching games on television or online streaming platforms.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico and the United States from June to July next year. It will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and is expected to attract record global audiences. Meanwhile, TVRI has announced plans to expand coverage on 34 regional stations across Indonesia, making the tournament accessible to a larger audience. Authorities say preparations will continue over the coming months, with awareness campaigns expected to start very soon.
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