The Laws of Poker in Indonesia
Poker is a popular game all over the world, with millions of people playing every day in the hopes of winning some money. Indonesia is no exception with many of its own citizens playing online poker for real cash. However, as with all gambling activities, it is important to be aware of the laws surrounding poker in your country before getting started.
While poker is a skill-based game and far removed from actual gambling, the government of Indonesia considers it a form of gambling because it involves chance. As such, players could face legal consequences if caught. Despite the government’s strict stance on gambling, there are still a number of Indonesians who gamble online, with some using VPNs to access international gaming websites that accept players from Indonesia. Others use online cafes that allow them to play poker, as they can’t be traced back to their own computers and will be safe from police raids.
The country’s large population of expats has helped to keep the poker scene alive, with new sites popping up all the time to cater to this growing market. However, hurdles to a fully legalized poker industry remain in place for the time being. With a majority Muslim population and anti-gambling laws that can lead to lashings or even 10 years in prison, the future of gambling in Indonesia is unclear.