Bali Police Bust Villa-Based Online Gambling Hub
Bali’s laid-back tourism image has been disrupted after police uncovered an alleged online gambling operation run by dozens of Indian nationals from rented villas on the island. What initially appeared to be standard tourist accommodation was later identified as the base for a coordinated cyber gambling setup following a social media investigation.
The inquiry began in January 2026 when Bali Police cyber teams flagged an Instagram account operating under the name “Rambetexchange.” The profile promoted a platform called Ram Betting Exchange and shared posts containing links for deposits, withdrawals and player support. Investigators traced the account’s activity and worked to identify the individuals and physical locations behind it.
Social Media Clues Led to Property Raids
Authorities ultimately linked the activity to two separate villas one in Tibubeneng, Badung and another in Kediri, Tabanan. After a period of surveillance and questioning, police carried out coordinated raids on February 3. Officers detained the occupants and confiscated equipment believed to support the betting operation.
At a police briefing, Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya and Cybercrime Director Commissioner Aszahri Kurniawan confirmed that 39 Indian nationals were detained. Of those, 35 have been formally charged and placed under arrest, while four are currently classified as witnesses as investigators continue to review their roles.
Revenue Estimates and Visa Scrutiny
Police estimate the network generated between Rp 7 billion and Rp 8 billion per month, roughly equal to $413,000–$472,000. Each villa was believed to be producing around Rp 4.3 billion monthly from gambling-related activity conducted from the properties.
Investigators stated that the individuals entered Indonesia using valid visas and blended in with regular tourist flows. Authorities suspect the group attempted to avoid attention by operating from private rentals while primarily serving foreign users. Police are also examining whether the operation is connected to wider online gambling networks active in the region.
Large Volume of Devices Confiscated
During the searches, officers seized multiple electronic devices, including four monitors, fifteen laptops, two routers and seventy-three mobile phones. These are expected to provide forensic data on platform management, user activity, and transaction flows.
Those charged are being prosecuted under Indonesia’s 2024 Electronic Information and Transactions Law. Convictions could result in prison sentences of up to nine years and fines reaching Rp 200 million.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities are continuing to analyze digital and physical evidence recovered from the sites and are exploring potential cross-border links. With most suspects now in custody and others still under review, the case highlights continued enforcement pressure against illegal online gambling operations operating from Indonesian territory.
