Dozens of Foreigners Arrested in Bali Illegal Gambling Crackdown

Police in Bali have arrested dozens of foreign nationals after uncovering illegal online gambling operations run from luxury villas in the Badung area. The coordinated raids, carried out in early February 2026, targeted foreigners suspected of using Bali as a base to operate offshore gambling platforms.

Authorities said the suspects entered Indonesia on tourist visas and allegedly worked in organised shifts to manage betting services, customer support and online payments. Police seized laptops, mobile phones and other electronic devices believed to be central to the gambling operations, which were reportedly generating significant monthly income.

All forms of gambling are illegal in Indonesia, including online gambling. Under Indonesian law, organisers and facilitators face severe penalties, including long prison terms and heavy fines. Police confirmed that most of those detained have been named as suspects, with investigations ongoing to trace funding sources and international links.

The arrests highlight Indonesia’s intensified crackdown on cyber-enabled crimes involving foreign syndicates, particularly in tourist hotspots. Authorities warned that foreigners abusing visas to run illegal businesses will face strict enforcement, reinforcing that Bali’s tourism appeal does not exempt anyone from Indonesia’s tough anti-gambling laws.