(Jakarta, 16th) — Despite Meta platforms’ explicit prohibitions and the Indonesian government’s vigorous crackdown on illegal gambling, gambling promoters are still using deceptive marketing techniques to reach Indonesian users on Meta’s platforms.
An AFP investigation found that dozens of paid gambling ads were disguised as harmless content to evade Meta’s promotion ban in Indonesia.
Both online and offline gambling—and their promotion—are illegal in Indonesia, but the industry still draws in billions of U.S. dollars annually.
If Meta fails to resolve these violations, it could face government sanctions.
These posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads appear to promote video games or suggest treatments for diseases such as diabetes, but actually redirect users to betting websites.
“It’s really becoming quite unsettling,” said Zee, a 32-year-old Indonesian gamer, who saw these ads on Instagram. “I suspect their target audience is people who like games, so children might also see these ads.” For privacy reasons, Zee did not reveal her real name.
Another 24-year-old social media user, Moli, said she reports such ads whenever she sees them on Instagram, but they keep reappearing.
Meta did not respond to requests for comment, but nearly 20 cited ad samples provided by AFP were subsequently taken down.
Indonesian authorities said they have removed more than 5.7 million pieces of gambling-related online content over the past eight years.
Police have also stepped up enforcement, arresting at least 85 influencers promoting online gambling platforms just last year.
The punishment is quite severe, with sentences up to 10 years in prison, and participating in gambling itself could bring a 4-year sentence.
The Ministry of Communication and Information said it regularly asks social media platforms to delete gambling-related content, and if there is no response, warning letters are issued.
Alexander Sabar, Director General of Digital Space Regulation at the Ministry, told AFP: “If platforms continue to act in bad faith, we will send a third warning letter and attach additional sanctions, which could ultimately result in the platform being banned.”
In October this year, the Ministry temporarily revoked TikTok’s operating license after it refused to provide data relating to monetization of livestreams potentially connected to online gambling.
When AFP asked if Meta would be summoned due to the discovery of paid gambling ads, Sabar said the Ministry has regular communications with social platforms and frequently raises the issue of gambling ads.
On November 12, he told AFP the Ministry “urges all digital platforms to strengthen ad detection and content review systems in accordance with Indonesian law and regulations.”
“If repeated violations are detected and not promptly handled, we will take enforcement measures as stipulated.”
From September to November, AFP found dozens of active Indonesian gambling ads in the Meta Ad Library, operated by Meta to provide transparency for paid ads.
Some ads provided “tips on lowering blood sugar,” while others promoted the health benefits of various fruits.
AFP found one account that posted 49 gambling ads titled: “Pomegranate: An Exotic Red Fruit Packed With Benefits.”
The Indonesian-language titles of these posts seem innocent, but clicking them takes users to a betting site, promising new registrants an “immediate win.”
The Facebook page for this ad marked the location as Hanoi, but AFP could not independently confirm the true origin. Page transparency shows that the page is managed by multiple administrators.
AFP attempted to contact several similar accounts but received no response.
AFP works in partnership with Meta for fact-checking in 26 languages, covering Asia, Latin America, and the EU.
A forthcoming study by Indonesian research firm Populix, shared with AFP, shows that 98% of Indonesian social media users have seen gambling promotions—including paid ads.
Of those, 32% said they had tried online gambling after seeing these ads.
Among this group, 4% said they are still gambling now.
Populix research manager Nazmi Tamara told AFP: “These ads often promise wins or jackpots.”
The company’s Policy and Social Research Director, Vivi Zabkie, noted that gambling content on social media takes diverse forms, including comments, small overlays on videos, or public content promoting gambling platforms.
Indonesia’s Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center told AFP that from 2017 to Q1 2025, the transaction volume for online gambling in Indonesia reached 927 trillion rupiah (about $55.7 billion).
The agency also said that among online gambling users, 80% are students and low-income groups.
An AFP investigation found that dozens of paid gambling ads were disguised as harmless content to evade Meta’s promotion ban in Indonesia.
Both online and offline gambling—and their promotion—are illegal in Indonesia, but the industry still draws in billions of U.S. dollars annually.
If Meta fails to resolve these violations, it could face government sanctions.
“It’s really becoming quite unsettling,” said Zee, a 32-year-old Indonesian gamer, who saw these ads on Instagram. “I suspect their target audience is people who like games, so children might also see these ads.” For privacy reasons, Zee did not reveal her real name.
Another 24-year-old social media user, Moli, said she reports such ads whenever she sees them on Instagram, but they keep reappearing.
Meta did not respond to requests for comment, but nearly 20 cited ad samples provided by AFP were subsequently taken down.
Indonesian authorities said they have removed more than 5.7 million pieces of gambling-related online content over the past eight years.
Police have also stepped up enforcement, arresting at least 85 influencers promoting online gambling platforms just last year.
The punishment is quite severe, with sentences up to 10 years in prison, and participating in gambling itself could bring a 4-year sentence.
The Ministry of Communication and Information said it regularly asks social media platforms to delete gambling-related content, and if there is no response, warning letters are issued.
Alexander Sabar, Director General of Digital Space Regulation at the Ministry, told AFP: “If platforms continue to act in bad faith, we will send a third warning letter and attach additional sanctions, which could ultimately result in the platform being banned.”
In October this year, the Ministry temporarily revoked TikTok’s operating license after it refused to provide data relating to monetization of livestreams potentially connected to online gambling.
When AFP asked if Meta would be summoned due to the discovery of paid gambling ads, Sabar said the Ministry has regular communications with social platforms and frequently raises the issue of gambling ads.
On November 12, he told AFP the Ministry “urges all digital platforms to strengthen ad detection and content review systems in accordance with Indonesian law and regulations.”
“If repeated violations are detected and not promptly handled, we will take enforcement measures as stipulated.”
From September to November, AFP found dozens of active Indonesian gambling ads in the Meta Ad Library, operated by Meta to provide transparency for paid ads.
Some ads provided “tips on lowering blood sugar,” while others promoted the health benefits of various fruits.
AFP found one account that posted 49 gambling ads titled: “Pomegranate: An Exotic Red Fruit Packed With Benefits.”
The Indonesian-language titles of these posts seem innocent, but clicking them takes users to a betting site, promising new registrants an “immediate win.”
The Facebook page for this ad marked the location as Hanoi, but AFP could not independently confirm the true origin. Page transparency shows that the page is managed by multiple administrators.
AFP attempted to contact several similar accounts but received no response.
AFP works in partnership with Meta for fact-checking in 26 languages, covering Asia, Latin America, and the EU.
A forthcoming study by Indonesian research firm Populix, shared with AFP, shows that 98% of Indonesian social media users have seen gambling promotions—including paid ads.
Of those, 32% said they had tried online gambling after seeing these ads.
Among this group, 4% said they are still gambling now.
Populix research manager Nazmi Tamara told AFP: “These ads often promise wins or jackpots.”
The company’s Policy and Social Research Director, Vivi Zabkie, noted that gambling content on social media takes diverse forms, including comments, small overlays on videos, or public content promoting gambling platforms.
Indonesia’s Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center told AFP that from 2017 to Q1 2025, the transaction volume for online gambling in Indonesia reached 927 trillion rupiah (about $55.7 billion).
The agency also said that among online gambling users, 80% are students and low-income groups.