Indonesia has issued a strong warning to Meta Platforms for gambling ads — the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads — after discovering a surge of online gambling promotions disguised as harmless digital content. According to Indonesian regulators, these ads have increasingly appeared in formats that mimic mobile game promotions, therapeutic health offers, or normal lifestyle content before redirecting users to online betting websites.

The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs said the government has removed over 5.7 million pieces of illegal gambling content in the past eight years, highlighting how the problem continues to evolve despite regular takedown efforts. With disguised methods becoming more sophisticated, the government is tightening its stance, urging Meta to strengthen its content-filtering systems or risk potential regulatory action.

Authorities emphasized that online gambling is a major national concern, citing billions of dollars in illegal transactions and a growing number of influencers involved in its promotion. The government’s message to Meta was clear: take immediate action or face consequences that could include platform restrictions in Indonesia.

How the Disguised Ads Operate

Online gambling networks in Southeast Asia have recently shifted from direct advertising to much more deceptive tactics, especially on major social platforms. Instead of openly promoting betting sites, many operators now publish content that appears harmless at first glance.

Tactics Used to Mislead Users

Fake game promotions
Many ads resemble mobile games or casual gaming apps. Users click expecting entertainment but are rerouted to betting platforms.
Health-related hooks
Some promotions appear to offer diabetes treatments, herbal remedies, or health-advice content, later directing users to gambling pages.
“Soft-sell” lifestyle posts
Simple lifestyle visuals — vacations, gadgets, or beauty tips — often hide embedded links leading to betting portals.
Collaboration with influencers
Influencers are paid to discreetly embed gambling links into Stories, Reels, or short-form content. Indonesia recorded dozens of influencer arrests for such practices.

Why the Ads Are Hard to Detect

Platforms rely heavily on automated filtering systems. But disguised ads use:

Neutral wording
Visuals with no clear gambling cues
Redirect links that switch destination pages after posting
Low-budget user-generated content instead of branded ads

These techniques make algorithmic detection — and even manual moderation — significantly more difficult.

Meta Platforms, as one of the largest social-media ecosystems in Indonesia, has become a primary target for scrutiny because of the sheer volume of content passing through its networks daily.

Scale of the Problem in Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the most active digital markets in Asia, with more than 210 million internet users and a rapidly expanding social-media audience. This creates a fertile environment for both legitimate advertisers and illicit digital-gambling operators.

Over 5.7 Million Gambling Posts Removed

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs reported removing millions of gambling-related posts over the past eight years. Despite these efforts, disguised gambling campaigns have accelerated, especially as operators adapt to stricter enforcement measures.

Massive Transaction Volumes

The government estimates that illegal online-gambling transactions reached over 927 trillion rupiah, equal to more than 55 billion USD, between 2017 and early 2025. This staggering figure underscores the scale of underground gambling networks in the region.

Influencer Involvement

Authorities recorded at least 85 arrests of influencers promoting betting content. Many promoted gambling apps covertly through:

Sponsored videos
Story swipe-up links
TikTok-style short clips
Live-stream shoutouts

The crackdown on influencers is part of a broader campaign to dismantle digital-marketing networks tied to illegal gambling groups.

Social Impact

Indonesia views online gambling not only as a digital-safety issue but also as a social and economic threat. Officials cite cases of:

Personal debt
Fraud
Family disputes
Youth involvement in illegal betting

These social effects have pushed regulators to take a stronger stance on platforms failing to curb such content.

Government Action & Policy Mechanisms

Indonesia’s response to rising digital gambling is both aggressive and comprehensive, combining regulatory enforcement, public communication, and platform accountability.

Formal Warning to Meta

The Ministry issued a direct warning to Meta, demanding:

Faster removal of disguised gambling content
Improved AI detection systems
Closer coordination with Indonesian regulators
Transparent reporting on takedown actions

Officials noted that Meta receives frequent takedown requests but emphasized that the volume of disguised ads suggests inadequate platform-level prevention.

Possible Sanctions

Indonesia has the authority to impose severe penalties, including:

Temporary access blocking
Financial sanctions
Content-filtering mandates
Platform restrictions for repeated violations

The Ministry stated it would not hesitate to take stronger measures if Meta fails to comply.

Strict Penalties for Offenders

Under Indonesian law:

Promoting online gambling can result in up to 10 years in prison
Participating in gambling can result in up to 4 years in prison
Influencers or marketers promoting disguised content may face additional digital-fraud charges

This legal framework serves as a deterrent and reinforces the urgency behind Meta’s compliance requirements.

Implications for Meta and the Wider Digital Ecosystem

Meta now faces mounting pressure not only from Indonesia but potentially from other nations monitoring the situation closely. The increasing sophistication of disguised gambling ads highlights broader challenges in global digital governance — especially as illegal operators find new ways to bypass platform detection tools.

For Meta Platforms

Meta must balance three competing priorities:

User Protection:
Ensuring that vulnerable individuals — including youth — are shielded from harmful or misleading gambling content.
Regulatory Compliance:
Building mechanisms that respond quickly to government takedown orders and align with local laws.
Operational Practicality:
Implementing scalable moderation techniques that can keep up with billions of daily uploads on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

The company’s algorithms are designed to detect gambling-related keywords, images, and suspicious link behavior. But disguised ads often hide their true intent behind:

Neutral thumbnails
Innocent-sounding captions
Redirecting URLs that switch destinations after posting
Human-operated ad networks instead of bot-driven spam

This creates an environment where traditional filters are insufficient.

Potential Consequences for Meta

If Meta fails to respond adequately, Indonesia could:

Restrict access to certain Meta services
Issue official fines or sanctions
Mandate stricter moderation protocols
Temporarily block platforms until compliance improves

Indonesia has previously blocked or restricted major platforms in the past when they failed to meet regulatory requirements. This history makes the current warning particularly serious.

Regional Ripple Effects

Other Southeast Asian countries — such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines — have also reported a rise in disguised gambling content.

If Indonesia sets a strong precedent:

More countries may issue similar warnings
Regional regulators may coordinate cross-border action
Platforms could face unified pressure to introduce stricter gambling filters

This could reshape how digital advertising is monitored across Southeast Asia.

What This Means for Advertisers & Users

The government’s warning to Meta is more than a regulatory action — it sends a message across the digital ecosystem.

For Advertisers

Legitimate advertisers must ensure:

Ad disclosures are transparent
Landing pages are clearly declared
Campaigns comply with regional advertising laws

Any advertiser caught mimicking disguised techniques may face:

Instant takedowns
Account suspension
Blacklisting
Legal prosecution

This is especially relevant for regional brands that rely heavily on social-media advertising.

For Content Creators & Influencers

Influencers in Indonesia face heightened scrutiny.
Promoting disguised gambling ads — even unknowingly — can lead to:

Criminal charges
Brand damage
Loss of collaborations
Social-media bans

The recent arrest of more than 80 influencers illustrates how aggressively Indonesia is policing this issue.

For Everyday Users

Users must remain cautious of:

Ads promising free games
Health-related offers with suspicious links
Lifestyle content that redirects unexpectedly
Flashy limited-time promotions

These disguised ads often lead to illegal betting networks designed to:

Collect personal data
Extract deposits through manipulation
Encourage addictive behavior

Users are encouraged to report suspicious posts, which can accelerate takedown processes.

Key Takeaways

Disguised gambling ads are rapidly increasing across Meta platforms in Indonesia.
Operators use deceptive visuals, health claims, or gaming themes to hide their true intent.
Indonesia has removed more than 5.7 million gambling-related posts in recent years.
Online gambling transactions exceeded 927 trillion rupiah since 2017.
At least 85 influencers have been arrested for involvement in online gambling promotions.
The government has issued a formal warning to Meta, demanding stricter monitoring.
Failure to comply could lead to platform restrictions or legal consequences.
Other Southeast Asian nations may follow Indonesia’s lead as the issue spreads regionally.

The crackdown signals a new chapter in digital regulation — one where platforms must take stronger responsibility for deceptive advertising practices.

Indonesia’s move to confront Meta over disguised gambling ads reflects a broader global challenge: as digital platforms evolve, so do the tactics of illegal online operators. The government’s firm stance highlights the urgency of protecting citizens, maintaining digital safety, and ensuring compliance from the world’s largest tech companies.

With millions of posts removed and billions of dollars circulating in illegal gambling networks, Indonesian regulators are making it clear that they will act decisively if platforms fall short.

Meta now stands at a crucial crossroads — either strengthen its content filtering capabilities or face serious regulatory repercussions in one of Southeast Asia’s largest digital markets. The outcome will likely shape how platforms handle disguised advertising, not only in Indonesia but across the region.