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Gambling Stakes Get Higher in Indonesia
Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja – Straits Times Indonesia | October 10, 2011

These arcades, known in Indonesia as These arcades, known in Indonesia as 'gelpers (pictured), masquerade as sports arcades and are a big draw for tourists. National police senior spokesman Anton Bachrul Alam said police stepped up enforcement on these illegal operations in Batam after increased complaints against them by local residents. (Antara Photo/Asep Urban)
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Darwinista
1:07pm Oct 10, 2011

Main tourists in Batam are Singaporeans who come in the weekend to do things prohibited in Singapore and also in Indonesia, but in Indonesia things are not so strict. So they come to gamble and visit prostitutes, both of which are big business in Batam. But as there is now a new casino in Singapore (heavy regulated) the competition has started.

exbrit
12:06pm Oct 10, 2011

The true religion of Indonesia is money. Do you think that the cultivation and sale of tobacco, known to kill millions of people is in line with Islamic teachings?

Nik23
10:30am Oct 10, 2011

Just wonder. Are the Chinese-Indonesians the only one gambling? I am not so sure about that.


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Batam, a city which thrives on tourism, is finding itself in a fix over what is proving to be a money-spinner with tourists, but goes against religious beliefs of this predominantly Muslim nation.

In recent weeks, special anti-gambling squads from the Indonesian police have descended on Batam, raiding and shutting down more than 70 covert gambling arcades filled with gaming machines, and arresting dozens of people.

These arcades, known in Indonesia as "gelpers", masquerade as sports arcades and are a big draw for tourists.

National police senior spokesman Anton Bachrul Alam said police stepped up enforcement on these illegal operations in Batam after increased complaints against them by local residents.

Indonesia, where more than 85 per cent of the country is Muslim, bans gambling because Islam does not allow it. But with other countries in the region benefiting economically from gaming, it is facing pressure from two of its more touristy cities - Batam and Bintan - to give some concession on this blanket ban.

Several years ago, the local Bintan government presented a detailed plan to build an integrated resort with a casino on the island. But after months of debate, the plan did not get the nod because lawmakers in Jakarta shot it down due to religious reasons.

The recent crackdown on gelpers in Batam has reignited the debate.

The head of Batam's tourism agency, Yusfa Hendri, said gelpers are a main tourist attraction in his city, which attracted more than 900,000 tourists last year. "The presence of gelpers has especially boosted the tourism industry, and indeed provided jobs," he said in an SMS message to The Straits Times.

But Inspector General Anton was firm in his response on that: "Gelper is a form of gambling, although the local government lets them operate. We hope these operations end."

He also promised more raids on such illegal gaming activities.

Sociologist Adrianus Meliala from the University of Indonesia said there have been calls by academics, tourism industry players and other citizens to amend Indonesia's law on gambling, accommodating at least restricted operations such as casinos which allow only foreigners in.

Another option being discussed is having a casino on an island, which would help to restrict who can gain entry.

"A law should reflect the reality on the ground," Professor Adrianus told The Straits Times, adding that there are aspirations from some quarters to legalize gambling. "A law should adjust to the current reality."

Bagus Sudibya of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies told The Straits Times: "It's a difficult decision, but do we want to continue seeing thousands of Indonesians spend money on gambling overseas? That is capital flight. So it's high time the government did something."

Batam and Bintan are not the only Indonesian cities where covert gambling is rampant. Big cities like Jakarta have seen illegal gambling activities, mainly catering to Chinese Indonesians who see it as part of the culture and entertainment.

"Covert gambling operations are organized by certain entrepreneurs who allegedly get backing from rogue senior police or military officers," Musni Umar, a sociologist at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta, told The Straits Times.

Economically speaking, allowing gambling to restricted people could be considered, said Musni. But he doubts that Indonesia would do it because none of the political parties would dare support gambling as the majority of the population are opposed to it.

"They are afraid of losing in the elections if they ever come out and say they support gambling," he said.

Musni agrees that gambling should be allowed in Indonesia as long as there are tight restrictions banning Muslims from entering the casinos. "Or else, Indonesians with enough money would go to Singapore or Malaysia to play there anyway."

Reprinted courtesy of Straits Times Indonesia. To subscribe to Straits Times Indonesia and/or the Jakarta Globe call 021 2553 5055.