Meta Gambling Ads Skirt Indonesian Ban Through Deceptive Marketing

Gambling promoters are actively targeting Indonesian users on Meta platforms. They use deceptive ads disguised as harmless content. This violates both Meta’s policies and Indonesian law.

An investigation by AFP discovered dozens of these paid advertisements. The ads bypass detection systems to reach millions. This occurs despite a strict government crackdown on all gambling activities.

Steep Penalties and Government Warnings

Indonesian authorities are taking a hard line. They have removed millions of gambling-related content pieces over recent years. Police have also arrested influencers for promoting online betting.

Penalties for promoting gambling are severe. They include potential prison terms of up to ten years. The government is prepared to sanction social media platforms that do not comply with takedown requests.

The Ministry of Communication issues warning letters to platforms. Continued inaction can lead to access termination. This was demonstrated by the temporary suspension of TikTok’s license last year.

How the Deceptive Ads Operate

The ads use a classic bait-and-switch tactic. They appear to promote health tips or video games. Users who click are redirected directly to betting websites.

One account ran 49 gambling ads under the title about pomegranate health benefits. Its Indonesian caption seemed innocent. The link, however, promised new users they could “directly win.”

According to Reuters, this method exploits gaps in automated content moderation. The scale is significant. A Populix study found 98% of Indonesian social media users see such promotions.

The proliferation of these covert Meta gambling ads poses a direct challenge to Indonesian law, creating a digital enforcement battle with real-world consequences for vulnerable users.

Thought you’d like to know

How are these gambling ads bypassing Meta’s filters?

Advertisers disguise promotions as content about health or video games. They use harmless images and captions to avoid automated detection. The gambling links only appear after a user clicks.

What could happen to Meta if this continues?

The Indonesian government can issue sanctions and fines. Repeated violations may lead to access restrictions. TikTok faced a temporary license suspension for a similar issue.

How widespread is the exposure to these ads?

A Populix study shows 98% of Indonesian social media users encounter them. Nearly a third of those exposed report trying online gambling afterward. This highlights the ads’ significant reach and impact.

What is the financial scale of online gambling in Indonesia?

Transactions reached an estimated 927 trillion rupiah between 2017 and early 2025. This equals about $55.7 billion. The vast scale indicates a massive underground industry.

Who is most targeted by these gambling promotions?

Reports indicate students and low-income individuals are primary targets. Promises of easy wins are a common lure. This makes these groups particularly vulnerable to the ads.