Most Popular eSports Bookies in Indonesia

Several Asian countries have made their intentions to ban all forms of gambling known. Indonesia maintains a similar stance and has since taken the restrictions to another level. The main contributing factor towards the country's perspective on gambling matters is religion. About 85% of Indonesians are Muslims.

The Islamic religion prohibits all types of gambling. However, for a country with more than 240 million people, the small percentage of non-Muslims still accounts for millions of people. Despite all the restrictions, gambling is a popular pastime activity. The residents have found numerous loopholes to enjoy gambling without getting in trouble with the law. That includes eSports betting, which is gaining popularity at a high rate.

Most Popular eSports Bookies in Indonesia

Why some Indonesians gamble?History of esports betting in Indonesia The general history of gambling in Indonesia Future of gambling in Indonesia Are casinos legal in Indonesia?Betting acts in Indonesia Indonesian players' favorite games Payment methods in Indonesia FAQs

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Why some Indonesians gamble?

Another reason gambling remains prevalent in the country is that the Indonesian government also does not have enough resources to enforce all the laws against it. That is especially the case for online betting, which accords punters the confidence to bet at their discretion. Several easy and convenient payment options offer players the much-needed convenience and security to gamble online. Better yet, Indonesian punters who desire to gamble anonymously can also use cryptocurrencies, a relatively common payment method nowadays.

Numerous international online casinos allow Indonesian punters to bet on their favorite esports games. However, players are advised to stick with the best esports betting sites Indonesia for the ultimate gaming experience. Thankfully, most Indonesian casinos are exhaustively reviewed, making it easy for players to make informed choices.

History of esports betting in Indonesia

Esports betting is relatively new in Indonesia. For a long time, Indonesian punters did not hold esports in high regard, especially when it comes to real money online betting. That mostly was because the eSports industry was not highly regulated. However, that notion began changing around 2012 when eSports started making news headlines worldwide.

Those who prefer betting on sports pivoted to eSports during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This change was primarily influenced by the fact that mainstream sporting events had all been canceled or postponed such that there were not enough sports being played on which they could bet. That made eSports quite popular, and the popularity continued past the pandemic period.

Future of esports betting in Indonesia

There is no way of accurately predicting the future of esports betting Indonesia, especially with the restrictive laws against gambling. The punters seem to love betting on esports, indicating growth potential. Betting sites are also increasing their markets on esports, making substantial investments in marketing campaigns to make the esports betting industry more popular. These efforts are likely to pay off in the country, resulting in more Indonesian players finding out about online esports betting and trying it out.

Some industry experts also predict that anti-gambling laws might be relaxed in the future under pressure to conform with global dynamics. The increasing number of tourists visiting the country might prove vital in legalizing eSports betting. Moreover, Indonesians' religious beliefs might also decline with time as technology advances, allowing for easing the gambling laws.

The general history of gambling in Indonesia

The numerous restrictions on gambling in Indonesia have not always been there. At some point, the Chinese influence in the country resulted in gambling. There are records of simple gambling activities in the country more than 700 years ago, including cards and coins games. The records indicate that the games were prevalent in the Indonesian rupiah (IDR) casinos at the time.

It was during the 14th century when everything changed. That was when the Islamic religion spread across the country and influenced Indonesia's general perspective of gambling. However, no laws against gambling were created at the time. Punters who were not affected by religion continued to gamble freely.

Post Independence

Indonesia gained its independence in the 1960s. The new government had no clear position on gambling in the country as there were still no laws that allowed or prohibited it. That went on until the 1970s when the government decided to do something about it. The government imposed the Sharia laws, and citizens were required to follow the law strictly. The law forbids all forms of gambling, including online gambling, and does so quite bluntly.

The Indonesian government decided to take further measures in 2012. It banned all offshore online casinos from allowing Indonesian punters to play on their platforms or providing any form of gambling services to its citizens. However, the effect was temporary as many new online casinos sprang up and continued to offer betting services to the Indonesians. To date, there are still numerous online casinos that accept Indonesian players despite the lack of approval from the country's government.

Future of gambling in Indonesia

In the future, gambling is likely going to continue in Indonesia, thanks to technological advances that allow Indonesian punters to gamble in offshore casinos safely and anonymously. The government might lack the means and capabilities to stop gambling completely.

Gambling activities are proving highly lucrative to most governments as they seek to explore different ways of generating revenue. With many Asian countries softening their stance on matters gambling, the Indonesian government will likely follow suit, considering it is increasingly difficult for countries to achieve a total ban on gambling activities.

Are casinos legal in Indonesia?

As mentioned above, gambling is still illegal in Indonesia. Most of the rules are relatively straightforward regarding the issue, and the general tone and position of the government erase any doubt. However, as in other countries where gambling is illegal, there are several legal loopholes that the citizens can use to enjoy their favorite games. Knowing the particular rules against gambling can help punters to find such loopholes.

Esports legislation in Indonesia

All forms of eSports betting are generally banned in Indonesia. However, the country's constitution does not have any specific written laws covering eSports gaming. That means no particular rules support or prohibit betting on eSports. That is especially the case when playing at an offshore online casino. That is because eSports came about long after the laws against gambling had already been written. There have been no amendments to the statutes yet to incorporate eSports. Most citizens only limit themselves based on religious grounds as Islam, the predominant religion, is against gambling.

Betting acts in Indonesia

The formal Indonesian constitution does not have any particular acts that prohibit online gambling. However, the government has officially adopted the Sharia laws. All citizens, irrespective of religion, are expected to follow the Sharia laws. Severe punishments are given to those who break the laws. According to Sharia law, gambling is considered immoral and addictive. The regulations also indicate that gambling deters players from their social responsibilities. It is because of such reasons that Sharia law prohibits gambling.

Penalty for gambling in Indonesia

As part of the Indonesian government's extensive efforts towards stopping all gambling activities in the country, it imposes hefty punishments to any individual caught breaking the gaming laws. That includes both gambling operators within the country and participants who gamble. For example, the offenders can be punished by being brutally caned in public. The punishment is usually executed publicly to warn all other individuals who might be thinking of committing the same offense. However, caning nowadays applies only in some provinces of the country.

In other provinces, gambling offenses are usually punishable by imprisonment. Individuals caught gambling face between three and five years of imprisonment. Those seen running gambling operations face up to ten years in prison. A fine may also be included in sentencing depending on the nature of the offense.

There have been numerous cases of individuals caught with gambling offenses who have been let off with only warnings in recent times. That is especially the case for online gambling. Ideally, online gambling also prevents citizens from participating in fraud and gang activities related to the illegal traditional casinos in the country. Using virtual private networks (VPNs) also makes betting online a lot safer.

Legal gambling age in Indonesia

Gambling is illegal in Indonesia, so there is no particular age when citizens can gamble legally. However, most international online casinos that allow Indonesian punters to play usually have minimum age restrictions in their policies. For most sites, the age limit is usually 18 years.

Indonesian players' favorite games

League of Legends

League of Legends is among the most popular esports titles in Indonesia and globally as well. The gameplay features a battle arena in which multiple players compete simultaneously. League of Legends is mostly popular due to the numerous tournaments and events in which it is usually featured. That means that players can always find a League of Legends event on which they can bet.

Dota 2

Dota 2 is another popular eSports game developed by Valve, which came as a sequel to Defense of the Ancients. The gameplay also features a multiplayer battle arena, where players can choose from 122 possible heroes. Each of the heroes has unique capabilities, which helps make the game a lot more interesting. The game also offers numerous betting opportunities for punters, the reason it is so popular.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Hidden Path Entertainment and Valve developed this game. It is an online multiplayer first-person shooter game in which two teams are pitted against each other. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) is among the most commonly featured games on most betting sites. Bet types on this game include first kill, first to five rounds, maps over/under, group winner, and knife round winner, among many others.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

This game is a tactical shooter online video game published by Ubisoft back in 2015. The game has different modes, in which each player assumes control of one character and works with teammates to accomplish a mission. Some of the bet types usually placed on the game include futures, tournament winners, handicaps, and regional winners, among many others.

Payment methods in Indonesia

Bank Cards

Bank cards are undoubtedly among the most dominant payment methods among Indonesians. That includes credit and debit cards. Bank cards are easy to obtain and can be issued to any qualified person by most of the banks in the country. Using credit cards to make online payments is also typically quite easy. Most eSports betting sites usually require users to type in their card information only to complete transactions. However, credit cards are only a good option for punters who are sure that the online casino they use is trustworthy and reliable.

Cryptocurrencies

Because of the status of gambling in Indonesia, most punters tend to prefer making payments via cryptocurrencies. That is because cryptocurrencies allow payments to be made safely and anonymously, meaning that gambling transactions cannot be traced back to the punters. Finding online casinos that accept Indonesian players and offer cryptocurrency payment options is usually the main challenge. Most eSports betting sites typically shy away from the payment system because of the high volatility of cryptocurrencies.

Digital Wallets

Digital wallets are also available and quite popular in Indonesia. They are well-liked because of how easy they are to use. Punters can make payments from their digital wallets even when traveling to other countries. Nearly all mainstream online casinos also accept payments made from digital wallets. Additionally, punters can withdraw funds from their eSports betting sites via digital wallets.

FAQs

Are There Online Gambling Sites That Are Based in Indonesia?

There are no official or legal gambling sites in Indonesia. That is because strict laws prohibit gambling operators from running their gaming business in the country.

Can Indonesian Players Bet on Esports Safely?

Despite the limiting laws, Indonesian players can still bet on eSports safely. All they need to do is choose a reputable and trustworthy eSports betting site, use a reliable virtual private network to access the site, and make all transactions anonymously. It is important to note that this method might still be against the law despite being a safe alternative. Punters must also check the policies of the betting site used to find out whether registering and betting via VPNs is allowed.

Are Tourists Allowed to Gamble in Indonesia?

Tourists are not allowed to participate in any gambling activity for the entire duration that they will be in the country, irrespective of where they are from. They must abide by all the country's laws, which prohibit all forms of gambling within Indonesia.