Indonesia PPATK flags $1 trillion online gambling surge linked to World Cup

The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) disclosed that online gambling deposits reached Rp1.02 trillion during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, derived from roughly 6 million transactions. QR Indonesia Standard (QRIS) was the dominant payment channel, accounting for about 56 % of the total deposit value and nearly 88 % of transaction frequency.

While the overall turnover of online gambling funds fell 12.9 % year‑on‑year to Rp86.82 trillion in the first half of 2026, the number of identified transactions jumped 167 % to 467.32 million. PPATK responded by temporarily blocking 2,815 accounts, freezing assets worth Rp325.43 billion.

PPATK head Ivan Yustiavandana emphasized that the rise in transaction frequency reflects both improved detection capabilities and the gambling networks’ shift to smaller, micro‑transactions to evade monitoring. He warned that QRIS itself is not problematic, but its misuse by fraudulent merchants requires stronger verification and oversight.

Member of the House Commission Junico Siahaan called for tighter cross‑agency supervision of digital payments, noting that low‑value QRIS deposits as small as Rp5,000 could target vulnerable groups and erode household finances. The agency urged real‑time data sharing among regulators to curb the flow of illicit gambling funds.