Illegal Gambling Industry Targets Indonesian Government Sites in Cyberattack

Several central and regional government websites in Indonesia were hacked last week, on July 11, in what appears to be a retaliatory move by the illegal gambling industry against the authorities’ crackdown on gambling operations. According to the Jakarta Globe, the hacking was a direct response to the government’s increasingly stringent measures against gambling.

The attack saw ads for a gambling app appearing on the Religious Affairs Ministry’s website, as well as on several municipal portals in East Java. 

Hackers also targeted educational resources, posting gambling content on the websites of a state vocational school in Depok, Muhammadiyah University in Lampung, and Piksi Ganesha Polytechnic.

While the cyberattack appears to have been more about drawing attention than causing real damage, it highlights existing vulnerabilities in the security systems of government structures. 

Recently, Indonesian authorities have intensified their efforts to combat gambling, which is banned in any form. Last month, the National Police of Indonesia and Interpol signed a cooperation agreement to tackle online gambling. 

Despite these efforts, the illegal gambling industry continues to resist government and societal pressure, sometimes leading to tragic incidents. Recently, Indonesian journalist Sempurna Pasaribu, who was investigating illegal gambling activities, and his family died in a fire at their home.