Tim Alper is a journalist who covers betting news and regulation for CasinoBeats. He joined the CasinoBeats team in May 2025. He reports on breaking news and developments in the world of betting, casinos, and...
Read Full BioThe government of Indonesia has suspended TikTok’s operating license for failing to produce “complete data” on online gambling-linked livestreams during recent protests.
The Indonesian media outlet Indonesia Inside quoted the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) spokesman Alexander Sabar as claiming that TikTok officials only produced “partial data” about the TikTok Live broadcasters.
The livestreams in question aired between August 23 and August 30. At the time, Komdigi minister Meutya Hafid claimed that gambling-funded streamers were promoting “anarchy and violence.”
She said that the accounts in question received donations from the accounts of online casino operators.
Indonesian Gov’t on TikTok: Platform ‘Failed to Meet Deadline’
Alexander said Jakarta gave TikTok an ultimatum of September 23 to hand over data on the streamers’ traffic and monetization.
He explained: “In an official letter, TikTok stated that it cannot comply with the request, citing its internal policies and procedures.”
Komdigi is particularly keen to learn the precise monetary value of the gifts it thinks the streamers received.
TikTok briefly paused its Live functions in Indonesia during the protests, but Komdigi thinks the online gaming platforms may have gained exposure by making the donations.
A TikTok representative stated that the social media platform was collaborating with the ministry to resolve the issue.
The representative added that TikTok “respects the laws of the countries where it operates.”
Warning to Other Platform Operators
Alexander said Komdigi “considers TikTok to have violated its obligations.” He said, “That is why we have taken the step of temporarily freezing the operating permit as a follow-up to this oversight.”
The official added that the sanctions were “not merely administrative measures.” Instead, he said, they are “a form of state protection to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens from the risks of digital technology.”
Komdigi warned other social media platforms and companies in the digital space to “comply with applicable national laws.”
The ministry said it was committed to “continuously strengthening oversight.” It said it would “ensure that all digital platforms operate responsibly” in Indonesia.
The suspension order comes hot on the heels of Jakarta’s announcement last month that TikTok, along with Google and the Instagram and Facebook operator Meta, would comply with Komdigi’s online gambling crackdown.
The ministry wants platforms to remove Indonesian-language posts and videos that promote online gambling sites.
Courts throughout the country have begun cracking down on Instagram influencers who use their accounts to promote online casinos.
Police have also arrested two men on suspicion of building platforms for online casinos. Officers think that the duo taught themselves to code before offering their services to several illegal gambling operators.
