Indonesian Student Sentenced to Prison for Online Gambling Promotion

Court Imposes Jail Term and Financial Penalty

Indah Siska Sari, a student from Langkat Regency, was convicted under Article 45(3) of Indonesia’s 2024 Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. The court handed down a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence alongside a fine of Rp50 million ($3,100). Failure to pay the fine could result in an additional two months in prison.

The court considered Sari’s actions an aggravating factor, noting that promoting gambling runs counter to government efforts aimed at combating gambling-related crimes. However, Judge Vera Yetti Magdalena acknowledged mitigating factors, including Sari’s admission of guilt, expression of remorse, and the absence of any prior criminal record.

Student Promoted Gambling Site for College Fee

Prosecutors initially sought a harsher sentence, calling for three years in prison and a higher fine. During the trial, it emerged that Sari earned Rp300,000 ($17.86) every 15 days by promoting the gambling site Hopeng on Instagram, accumulating a total of Rp850,000 ($50.59). She told the court that the money was used to help cover her college expenses.

Sari’s promotional activities began in August 2024 and continued until early October. After receiving a tip-off, police traced the Instagram posts to a cafe in East Medan, where they apprehended her. Investigators reviewed her mobile phone and social media accounts, confirming that they had been used to promote the illegal website.

Broader Context of Gambling Enforcement

Despite an official nationwide ban, online gambling remains accessible in Indonesia. Engaging in it is illegal under the country’s strict laws, and those caught face heavy penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

The government has recently intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal gambling operations, particularly those linked to organized crime. In March 2025, Indonesian authorities extradited 29 citizens from the Philippines for alleged involvement in an illicit online gambling and scam network. Officials have stated that they are closely examining these cases to distinguish between perpetrators and potential victims of human trafficking.