Indonesia Suspends Welfare Aid For 1.49 Million Households Over Gambling Concerns

Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs has temporarily suspended welfare assistance for 1,494,652 beneficiary households after data matching identified suspected online gambling transactions linked to their accounts. The move follows a review of information provided by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center, or PPATK, the country’s financial intelligence agency.

Investigation Into Misuse Of Aid

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said authorities are investigating whether the flagged activity involved intentional misuse of government assistance. He confirmed that 1.49 million beneficiary families were flagged for online gambling based on PPATK data and that the matter is under investigation.

The affected households receive support through the Program Sembako basic food assistance scheme, also known as BPNT. Payments have been put on hold for the third quarter for the beneficiaries in question pending the verification process.

This is a major increase in relation to previous discoveries. In earlier investigations, nearly 600,000 households that received welfare payments were found to be involved in illegal online gambling.

According to Yusuf, the government must make sure that social security money is used for helping families in need instead of being channeled to illegal gambling.

Eligibility Checks And Data Update

The ministry is carrying out further checks together with PPATK, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, and regional authorities. The review will examine whether transactions were made directly by beneficiaries, occurred without their knowledge, or involved accounts being used by other parties.

Yusuf said it is possible some households no longer qualify for social assistance, adding that evidence indicates the assistance was used for online gambling. He said the government is investigating the matter further while simultaneously updating the beneficiary data.

The verification process also forms part of the government’s update of the National Socio-Economic Single Data, or DTSEN, which is used to manage welfare distribution and improve beneficiary targeting. Authorities said households found to have deliberately or repeatedly used assistance funds for gambling could lose eligibility, with their benefits reassigned to other recipients.

Education And Account Protection

The government is continuing education programs for beneficiary families through social workers and PKH facilitators. Officials are encouraging recipients to protect their accounts and avoid allowing others to use them for unlawful activities.

Yusuf urged beneficiaries not to be careless, warning against letting others use or exploit their accounts. He said outreach, education, and guidance are being provided continuously to beneficiary families through social facilitators.

Wider Push Against Online Gambling

This is happening as the Indonesian authorities continue their attempts to curb gambling on online platforms. Though gambling online is still not allowed in the country, there have been more collaborations between the authorities to track down those involved.

PPATK data showed online gambling activity continued at a significant level in 2026. The agency reported that online gambling turnover reached IDR86.82 trillion, or about $5.3 billion, across 467.32 million transactions during the first half of the year.

While the total value declined compared with the same period previously, transaction volume increased as operators shifted toward smaller and more frequent deposits, according to PPATK. The agency has also reported a growing use of QRIS, Indonesia’s national digital payment QR system, for gambling-related deposits, creating additional challenges for enforcement efforts.

Indonesia Suspends Welfare Aid For 1.49 Million Households Over Gambling Concerns

Investigation Into Misuse Of Aid

Eligibility Checks And Data Update

Education And Account Protection

Wider Push Against Online Gambling

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