With 10+ years in tech, crypto, gaming, and finance, Raz has written across a multitude of platforms, covering both crypto and gambling news. He specializes in content on iGaming, sports betting, and crypto trends, particularly...
Read Full BioA district court in Medan, Indonesia, has sentenced a student from Langkat Regency to two and a half years in prison for promoting gambling.
The 20-year-old student, Indah Siska Sari, promoted an online gambling website in a post on Instagram, which contravenes Indonesian law.
Student in Indonesia Faces Fine and Additional Jail Time If Unpaid
The court found the defendant guilty under Article 45(3) of the 2024 Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. In addition to a jail sentence, the court also imposed a fine of Rp50m ($3,100). If the student doesn’t pay the fine, the court can extend the sentence by two months.
Judge Vera Yetti Magdalena said that an aggravating factor was that Sari’s actions went against the government’s program to combat gambling-related crimes.
However, the defendant admitted to her actions and expressed remorse, which the judge accepted as a mitigating factor. Sari also had no prior criminal record, which further reduced the sentence.
Initially, prosecutors sought a three-year prison term and a higher fine, saying that Indah received Rp300,000 ($17.86) every 15 days for promoting the site. In total, she accrued Rp850,000 ($50.59). Sari explained that she used the money to pay for her college fees.
The Promotional posts in question started in August 2024 and ended in early October. The defendant promoted a gambling website called Hopeng. After investigating the matter, the police tracked the posts to a cafe in East Medan. They found Sari on location and apprehended her.
The police arrested Sari after a tip-off made them aware of her account and frequent promotional posts. The authorities reviewed her phone and social accounts, confirming that they were used for promotions.
Officially, all forms of gambling are banned in Indonesia, but despite the ban, many users can still access online betting services. Doing so is illegal in the conservative Muslim nation, and those who break the law risk paying significant fines, spending time in prison, or both.
Cross-Border Enforcement and Organized Crime Concerns
Indonesian police extradited 29 individuals in March 2025 over an alleged illicit gambling ring operating in the Philippines. Individuals in question were Indonesian nationals who were transferred back to the country to face accusations of involvement in illegal online gambling and scams.
Given the roots in organized crime and potential human trafficking, the authorities have said that they will examine the case in detail to separate those who are alleged victims from perpetrators. The Filipino crackdown on POGOs has shown the scope of illegal gambling in the Southeast Asia region.
