Today, we’re gonna delve into the gambling scene in Indonesia, touching on the best online casinos for Indonesian players, the history of gambling in the country, and the current state of play when it comes to legality. We’ll also chat about how to choose a solid casino: the key factors to consider, and what to keep an eye on. Of course, we’ll also take a look at the bonuses available at online casinos for Indonesians, and discuss the general gambling games on offer in the country.
Despite the near blanket ban on online casinos in Indonesia, players aren’t deterred. They’re finding offshore sites that are only too happy to welcome Indonesian punters.
There’s a load of these sites, but it’s only worth picking the cream of the crop. We’ll chat about the methodology for choosing a top-notch casino later, but for now, let’s introduce you to a list of the best casinos that meet our standards:
The history of gambling in Indonesia runs deep, dating back to the 13th century when various card and coin games, all with elements of betting on outcomes, were rife. By the mid-14th century, the picture started to get more complex as Islam, which strictly prohibits all forms of gambling, began to permeate Indonesia. 1960 was a turning point; the country gained independence and the laws on betting started to soften, spurring rapid industry growth.
Everything changed in 1973 when the government doubled down on religion, and as a result, all forms of gambling were once again outlawed. Another blow was a string of government initiatives in 2012 that included blocking all gambling-related websites and a total ban on bookmakers and various lotteries. Despite this, online gambling remains pretty popular.
Given that tech advancements are in full swing in Indonesia, most people have smartphones and computers. And with these devices, it’s easy to hop online and find a functioning online casino – something many Indonesians are doing. According to some sources, the most popular type of gambling in the country is online slots, and e-sports betting is also catching on with the younger crowd.
As it stands, online gambling in Indonesia is completely illegal. It’s forbidden to run games, create online casinos/bookmakers, or even play in them. Penalties for breaking these rules are pretty severe, ranging from caning to real jail time. All this is down to religion – the country is predominantly Muslim and often applies a specific set of laws – Sharia law.
If you’re on the hunt for a top-notch online casino in Indonesia, there’s a certain method to the madness. The first thing you gotta do is sift through real player reviews and size up the casino’s security levels and licenses. Then, poke around the bonuses and promotions section to sniff out those deals that are really worth your while. And of course, you need to check out the payment systems the casino offers, how well it’s optimized for mobile if you’re gonna play on your phone, and whether there’s round-the-clock customer support. We’ve already done all that legwork for you and put together a list of the best online casinos in Indonesia right at the beginning of this article. Now, let’s break down each criterion in more detail.
Given the legal gray area surrounding online casinos in Indonesia, we’re only going to consider offshore casinos. Specifically, those with key licenses from places like Curacao, Malta, Alderney, or other big-time regulators. If an online casino is licensed by one of these heavyweights, you can bet your bottom dollar it’s on the up and up.
Reading player reviews is a big deal. We treat this step with utmost care when we’re dissecting a casino. After all, it’s the easiest way to get a feel for whether a casino is legit and how it treats its players. If a casino isn’t responsive to player requests or won’t step up to resolve disputes and problems that pop up, we’re not going to include it in our rankings.
Players love scoring different welcome bonuses, and that’s why they enjoy exploring new casinos. It’s a simple as making a deposit and watching it quintuple in size, plus getting an extra 100 free spins. It’s a sweet deal and lets the player enjoy the game for longer, keeping their eyes on the prize.
Having modern payment systems is key when picking an online casino in Indonesia. Because of the legal issues, you can’t always top up your account directly from a bank card. But there are various e-wallets and cryptocurrencies that solve this problem. Therefore, we only add casinos to our rankings that offer a good range of payment methods.
Having a snappy and on-point customer support service is crucial. Ideally, there should be an online chat where you can get the info you need or sort out your issue in a jiffy. But you also see a lot of casinos that go the email route, where you can shoot your question, or beef, straight over to the casino’s customer support.
In today’s world, more and more gamers are swapping their computers for smartphones, and most slots have long since been optimized for mobile devices. So the question of whether a casino is mobile-friendly is pretty relevant. The top casinos will always have an interface that’s smooth sailing for smartphones of various operating systems and screen resolutions. This not only makes it easier for a player to enjoy their favorite games, but it also simplifies interacting with the casino, especially when it comes to depositing and withdrawing funds.
A common feature in the online gambling industry is the various welcome bonuses that apply to one or several initial deposits. Players around the world dig these promotions, and Indonesian players are no exception. The best online casinos that accept players from Indonesia offer deposit-multiplying bonuses, a range of free spins, or even a combo of both.
Another popular feature is regular bonuses, either in the form of various races and tournaments or through a special ranking system that you climb while playing. The higher your rating and the more points you earn, the bigger your prizes, which can include free spins, cash payouts, or the chance to exchange points for real cash in the most advantageous way.
As already mentioned, different casinos offer enticing welcome bonuses, either multiplying your deposit or offering free spins. The deposit multiplier can go up to 500% or Rp. 3,880,000. The number of free spins can reach 300 in some casinos. And considering that these bonuses often come together and apply to several initial deposits, it’s a pretty sweet deal.
Regular players also get their own bonuses. These might be special promotions run on certain days of the week, or rewards for reaching a certain level in the VIP system. Often, online casinos have a couple of primo days for making a deposit, during which you either get a bit extra on your deposit or higher cashback.
Another buzz-worthy event that’s gonna tickle the fancy of both newbies and regular punters are the diverse races and tournaments. To register, you just gotta hit the right button, get clued up on the rules, and then start playing the listed games, racking up points. The way you bag points varies across different tournaments – it could be about hitting the highest multiplier or the sum of multipliers from different games. It’s worth noting that there are also private tournaments for a small group of people. Access to these usually comes when you’ve climbed the ranks in the VIP system.
Sports betting is officially off-limits in Indonesia. Post-2012, all offline bookies were shut down, and access to online bookmakers was blocked. Nevertheless, dodging this ban ain’t rocket science. All you gotta do is find mirror sites of popular bookmakers in Indonesia or use a VPN. The hot tickets for most bets include football, basketball, badminton, sepak takraw, and esports.
As you can see from the list, not only are Western sports popular in Indonesia, but also Asian disciplines that intersect with various sports. With the rise of the internet and a young generation already in place, video games and esports are huge in the country. Consequently, betting on professional match outcomes has become a common form of thrill-seeking. The top bookies in Indonesia include 22Bet, DafaBet, 1xBet, Bet365.
We’d like to dig a little deeper into the main payment systems and deposit methods popular among online casino players in Indonesia.
This is one of the easiest and most popular ways to drop your deposit into an online casino. Nearly all modern casinos accept bank cards as payment, with the prime perk being the speed of the transaction. The top-up is almost instantaneous. The major downside is that some banks slap on a commission since this type of transaction is considered a cash transaction, which could be subject to additional fees. Also, not all banks allow money transfers to establishments dealing with gambling.
Another handy method for those whose banks won’t greenlight transactions to casinos, or for those who don’t want to spill their banking details. The operation principle of this payment system is simple and based on vouchers, or what they call “prepaid cards”. You buy an online card for a certain amount, then cash it in wherever it suits you, in our case, when depositing at a casino.
A popular e-wallet where signing up is a cinch. You create an account, link it to your bank account or card, then top it up. Once your account is loaded, you choose this system when depositing at a casino and follow the instructions. The same goes for withdrawing funds from an Indonesian casino. The perks include high speed and not-so-steep commissions.
A solid alternative to Skrill, often favored by high rollers who regularly cash in and cash out big sums. Like with Skrill, you’ve gotta get verified and then load up your account using a bank card. There’s also a bit of a bite for fees and a nifty feature where you can order a plastic card and use it just like a regular bank card.
Most casinos accept crypto, so if you’ve got these assets or can easily snag them, consider using this method for deposits and withdrawals. Why? Well, minimal fees (especially with smaller coins like TRX, XRP, DOGE) and swift transactions, usually wrapped up in under 15 minutes.
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Cryptos have a complicated status in Indonesia. This is largely because Indonesia is a pretty devout country with a significant Muslim population, many of whom follow Sharia law. As a result, any decision, even a financial one, gets weighed against religious beliefs. In 2021, the Indonesian Islamic Council declared cryptocurrency to be haram (sinful/forbidden for Muslims), and suggested the government should outright ban it for Muslims since it’s unpredictable and linked to gambling.
Also, fairly recently, in January 2022, the government decided to outlaw the sale of cryptocurrency due to its volatility and risk, despite Indonesia’s digital market having ballooned 15 times since 2020. What does this mean for punters wanting to make deposits using cryptocurrency in Indonesian online casinos? Well, it’s going to be a lot harder to buy. But there’s no direct ban on owning cryptocurrency, so you can still store it or use it for deposits.
Indonesian online casinos have a bunch of cool providers on offer. Since Indonesian players mainly have access to offshore casinos, they’re not impacted by any provider bans. This means they can enjoy the full gaming arsenal. Let’s take a closer look at 5 of the most popular providers.
It’s a rare bird who doesn’t know this provider. Their street cred and renown are due to both killer graphics and sound, as well as some sweet multipliers in their slots. This is why Indonesian players just can’t get enough.
Another global provider who’s made a big splash in Indonesia. Their extensive game library, including slots featuring local cultural quirks from various Asian countries, has made them a hit. So not only do you get a great game, but you also soak up a memorable vibe.
This old-timer from Sweden has made a name for itself with Indonesian players thanks to their hefty jackpots in slots like Divine Fortune. Worth noting is their hefty selection of branded slots, developed in collaboration with famous bands or TV shows. Of course, players also love the famed Gonzo’s Quest slot and its similar game show – it hooks you in from the get-go and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
One of the top providers serving up live dealer games. Their repertoire includes a ton of live table and card games, as well as a bunch of special game shows like Crazy Time, Mega Ball, Monopoly, which have stolen the hearts of Indonesian players.
A provider from the Isle of Man that’s gained broad recognition in Asian countries. This success is due to the development of products dripping with true Asian ambiance, as well as a plethora of interesting mechanics.
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Due to strict laws, you won’t find any brick-and-mortar casinos or poker rooms in Indonesia.
Since all forms of gambling are banned in Indonesia, there aren’t any national lotteries. However, there’s an underground lottery called “Shio” that some folks play. It’s pretty simple: every day you pick 4 numbers and a zodiac sign from the Chinese calendar, and pay around Rp.2000 for a ticket. Then you wait for the draw, where they announce the number and sign. If you’ve guessed the sign and at least 2 numbers right, you get a payout over 5x the ticket price. The more matches, the bigger the win. Just remember, offline lotteries are forbidden in Indonesia, so there’s no guarantee of fairness and it’s unclear how and where the proceeds from ticket sales go.
Online lotteries are the alternative to offline ones. Since they’re also illegal in Indonesia, lottery fans will need to play on foreign sites. Some of the most popular sites among Indonesian users include 1xBET Lottery, theLotter, Lotto Kings.
When it comes to the reliability and security of online casinos, there are a few important points to consider. First off, check for a regulator and license: since gambling in Indonesia is a no-go, there are no local regulators, meaning you’ve gotta keep an eye on global commissions like Curacao, MGA, AGCC, UKGC, ONJN, and others. When sizing up an online casino that accepts Indonesian players, you need to suss out the info on its license and verify its validity on the commission’s website.
Second, think about the safety of your data: always dive deep into the casino’s rules and user agreement to avoid any hidden snags, such as how they might use your data.
Third, there’s the matter of gaming security: a licensed casino should only be packing licensed software that’s been given the once-over by regulators and independent labs.
In wrapping up, Indonesia is a big country with a diverse landscape and a whopping 200 million-plus population. Plenty of its adult inhabitants love a good flutter online and regularly enjoy these thrills, despite their illegal status. The overall gambling situation is pretty heavy, seeing as Indonesia is a Muslim country where such amusements are verboten.
Cryptocurrencies are headed for a similar fate, with growing restrictions on their distribution since the Islamic community sees them as speculative and out of control. Nonetheless, there are a ton of online casinos that accept Indonesian players and use handy payment methods that can get a deposit into a player’s account or cash out their winnings in no time flat.
No, since the country is a Muslim country, any gambling entertainment is prohibited in the country. However, players can play in offshore casinos.
Players have access to a variety of welcome bonuses that multiply your deposit and give free spins, as well as many regular incentives in the form of races, tournaments and ranking systems.
You can replenish your online casino account using Visa/Mastercard bank cards, as well as various e-wallets such as Skrill or Neteller, as well as cryptocurrencies or special vouchers from PaySafeCard.
To do this, you need to find information about its license (usually at the bottom of the site), and then check the relevance of this license. It is also worth reading player reviews and reviewing various ratings.
