Gambling ads target Indonesian Meta users despite ban

GAMBLING promoters are using deceptive marketing tactics to reach Indonesian users across Meta platforms, despite the company’s policies and a government crackdown on the illegal practice.

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OFFICIALS hang a public service announcement banner discouraging people from taking part in online gambling, outside a government building in Bogor, Indonesia.

(AFP)

An investigation found dozens of paid gambling adverts disguised as innocuous content to circumvent Meta’s ban on such promotions in Indonesia.

Online and offline gambling - and publicising it — is outlawed in the country, but billions of dollars still flow through the sector each year.

Meta could potentially face government sanctions if it does not address the violations.

The posts on Facebook, Instagram and Threads appear to promote video games or treatments for conditions such as diabetes. But they redirect users to betting websites.

“It’s become really disturbing,” said Zee, a 32-year-old Indonesian gamer who encountered the ads on Instagram.