(AsiaGameHub) –   Indonesia announced the launch of a nationwide campaign to combat illegal gambling and online fraud ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As the world’s largest sporting event approaches, Indonesian authorities warn it could trigger a significant surge in betting activity across the country.

Officials have raised concerns about illegal betting operators potentially exploiting the 2026 FIFA World Cup to attract new users to their platforms.

Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko stated:

We must prepare for an increase in football gambling. We cannot allow this momentum to be used for illegal activities that may cause harm to the public.

Although gambling is prohibited in nearly all forms throughout Indonesia, the government continues to confront online betting operations—particularly those run by foreign entities that have established channels and employ encrypted digital methods to bypass existing regulations.

Indonesian law enforcement has urged citizens who have witnessed suspected gambling or online scams to report them via the national 110 complaint hotline. Additionally, officials have advised the state broadcaster, TVRI, which will air the 2026 World Cup on television, to implement a special reporting mechanism to record suspected betting activities.

According to law enforcement, illegal betting operators often use pirated streams of football matches to promote their betting websites, displaying advertisements and hyperlinks that direct users to their platforms.

Authorities fear that illegal gambling networks may expand rapidly during the World Cup due to the high volume of online viewers watching the matches.