Bali Influencer Faces Jail for Promoting Online Gambling
In a crowded courtroom in Denpasar, Bali, the case of 19-year-old influencer Vienna Varella Angeli Parinussa has captured public attention, blending modern youth culture with Indonesia’s strict gambling laws.
Prosecutors have requested a 30-month prison sentence and a fine of Rp 30 million (approximately US$1,800) after Vienna was found promoting links to online gambling platforms via her Instagram and TikTok accounts.
From Side Hustle to Courtroom
Vienna’s Instagram following numbered just over 57,000 modest but enough to attract intermediaries from gambling websites. Between February and April, she posted promotional stories linking her audience to these sites. Payments were small, ranging from IDR 100,000 to IDR 300,000 (roughly US$6–18) per post, totaling around IDR 4 million (US$240).
Her lawyer, Mochammad Lukman Hakim, emphasized that Vienna was not a professional promoter. “She was approached by contacts on WhatsApp and followed instructions. The payments were not about building wealth but covering basic expenses,” he said.
Indonesia’s Strict Stance on Gambling
The country maintains one of Asia’s toughest anti-gambling policies. All forms of gambling are prohibited under electronic transactions law and online betting is considered a growing societal threat. Prosecutors argued that Vienna’s posts contributed to the illegal gambling ecosystem and normalized betting for young audiences.
Similar crackdowns have occurred worldwide, such as in the Netherlands, where influencers were fined for promoting illegal gambling. Prosecutor Ni Putu Eriek Sumyanti told the court that Vienna’s actions undermined government efforts to curb online betting.
A Personal Perspective
Vienna has no criminal history, admitted guilt and cooperated with authorities. She accepted responsibility in court and pledged not to reoffend. Although her Instagram was private, tens of thousands of followers were exposed to gambling links, according to prosecutors.
Her defense highlighted how many young people face similar offers: small, easy payments with minimal oversight, often not understanding the legal consequences.
A Broader Debate
While Vienna’s case involves small sums and no organized crime, it highlights a growing tension between digital influence and offline regulations. It raises questions about how governments should handle influencers promoting illegal products and what role social platforms should play in monitoring content.
For Indonesia, the case serves as a test: should a teenager face severe penalties for a few paid posts, or is she being made an example to deter others?
The court will soon deliver its verdict. In the meantime, Vienna’s story underscores the wider challenge: even a single teen with a smartphone can highlight the complexities of illegal gambling enforcement in the digital age.
