Illegal Gambling Site TAHU69 Owners Arrested in Indonesia
The suspects were detained on the Riau Islands and in East Jakarta. The site, launched in January 2025, generated a monthly profit of about $6,000.
Arrest of TAHU69 Site Owners
According to Jakarta Globe, 29-year-old Obed and 28-year-old Alfredo were detained. They were arrested in a residential complex and a commercial building and have been held in custody since late April – Obed since April 26, and Alfredo since May 2, while the investigation continues.
Site Activities and Revenues
TAHU69 offered users classic casino games, sports betting, and lottery games. Despite gambling being banned in Indonesia, the site generated revenue of about 100 million Indonesian rupiahs per month, which is approximately $6,000. This is significantly higher than the average income in the country — around $700 per month.
Large-Scale Crackdown on Illegal Gambling
The operation to detain the site owners was part of a major government campaign against illegal gambling. Recently, more than 5,000 bank accounts have been blocked with a total of $36.2 million frozen.
Key Facts of the Campaign Against Illegal Gambling in Indonesia:
| Event | Indicator | Date/Period |
|---|---|---|
| Arrests of TAHU69 site owners | 2 people | April – May 2025 |
| Bank accounts blocked | more than 5,000 | 2025 |
| Amount of frozen funds | $36.2 million | 2025 |
| Sites closed (gambling and pornography) | 1.3 million | March 2025 |
Context of Gambling Control in Indonesia
Indonesia strictly prohibits gambling, yet the fight against illegal sites continues regularly. At the beginning of 2025, the government announced the introduction of tougher regulations against gambling. In March, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology shut down 1.3 million sites related to gambling and pornography.
Meanwhile, neighboring countries in the region are taking different approaches: for example, Thailand is discussing the “Entertainment Complex Bill,” which would allow building resorts with casinos, sharply contrasting Indonesia’s complete gambling ban.