What is the gambling law in Indonesia?

The primary legal instruments governing gambling in Indonesia are the Indonesian Penal Code (Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana or KUHP) and Law No. 7 of 1974 concerning the Control of Gambling. The KUHP, in articles 303 and 303bis, criminalizes the act of gambling, including providing a venue for it, participating in it, and making it a livelihood.

Law No. 7 of 1974 reinforces this prohibition, declaring all forms of gambling as a crime and against religion and morality. This law grants the government the authority to revoke any permits that could be used for gambling activities. It essentially changes the classification of gambling from a misdemeanor to a felony, increasing the severity of penalties.

The government's position is that gambling is a societal disease that must be eradicated. This prohibitionist stance is further extended to the online sphere through the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, which criminalizes the transmission of gambling content.