Is Indonesia’s tourist visa scheme vulnerable to abuse? Bali gambling bust renews concern

The arrest of nearly 40 Indian nationals in Bali for allegedly running an online gambling operation has renewed concern about Indonesia’s tourist visa regime being vulnerable to abuse, with analysts warning that foreign criminal groups could use it to operate under the guise of holiday travel.The case also underscores the scale of Indonesia’s struggle against online gambling, an industry authorities say continues to generate billions of rupiah in transactions each month despite repeated crackdowns.Bali police said the detainees entered Indonesia on tourist visas and allegedly ran an online gambling website since November from two villas in Badung and Tabanan, districts in the resort island’s south and west.Among the 39 people detained, 35 had been formally charged, while four were named as witnesses but remained under investigation, police said.Bali police detained 39 people in a recent crackdown on an online gambling operation. Photo: HandoutPolice had been investigating the operation since January 15 after a cyber patrol found an Instagram account that promoted the website. On February 3, officers raided the two villas to arrest the suspects and seize evidence. Gambling, online or offline, is illegal in Indonesia.