Online Poker in Indonesia
Online poker is a hugely popular worldwide game but it’s only recently started to find a home in Indonesia. We’ve now got options on the iPoker and MPN networks that allow residents here to deposit in rupiah using local bank transfers and to get paid winnings the same way.
Gambling laws in Indonesia are some of the strictest in the world. It is illegal to play poker for money in private games and on online platforms in the country, with anyone caught breaking the law facing fines or even imprisonment. In addition, many of the major Indonesian banks are forbidden from processing gambling-related transactions. This has driven poker players underground, where they can avoid detection by the authorities and avoid having their money confiscated.
Despite the strict regulations, poker is hugely popular in Indonesia. The country is home to some of the best live tournament players in the world, including John Juanda, who has amassed more than $25 million in total career earnings. Other top Indonesian players include Darus Suharto, Michael Sampoerna and Sandhy Rafael Sitepu, who have all claimed multiple titles over the years.
The only regulation that exists in the country is designed to stop people from playing poker online, but the Internet is a powerful thing and so far the Indonesian government hasn’t been able to block access to many international online poker sites. You won’t be able to find sites in the local language but, as long as the major international operators don’t change their business models, poker players have a small window of opportunity in Indonesia.