OJK Blocks 1,700 Bank Accounts Linked to Online Gambling

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Financial Services Authority's (OJK) Chief Executive of Banking Supervision, Dian Ediana Rae, said his side has blocked at least 1,700 bank accounts related to online gambling. Dian also said the number is likely to increase.

“Banks are now increasingly building systems that can detect whether it is a gambling transaction or not,” Dian said in a virtual press conference on Monday afternoon, October 9, 2023.

He added that the OJK has also asked banks to report the blocked accounts to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) for further investigation. “So, we can be sure of the next steps to be taken,” he said.

PPATK noted that the flow of money through online gambling transactions has continued to increase significantly over the years, with the value reaching Rp81 trillion in 2022. PPATK spokesman Natsir Kongah made the statement in a discussion titled Online Gambling Emergency on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

“In 2021, the turnover was Rp57 trillion, and in 2022, it increased significantly to Rp81 trillion,” Natsir said on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

According to him, this condition is extremely worrying. Moreover, not only adults but also school students were involved in online gambling.

Natsir also disclosed a surge in the suspicious financial transaction reports related to online gambling submitted to the PPATK. In 2021, there were 3,446 reports, and then jumped to 11,222 reports in 2022. In 2023, there were 916 reports in January, 831 reports in February, and 1,096 reports in May.

RIRI RAHAYU | ANTARA

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