Titans of gambling probingly eye Indonesia

As the world’s most populated Muslim country, Indonesia is far from being considered a gamblers paradise. As a matter of fact, Indonesian gambling law prohibits gambling and all of its forms altogether in compliance with Islamic law. 

Nevertheless, gambling is popular as can be seen through internet gambling in Indonesia. Though the government and religious officials alike frown upon it, many of the nation citizens play at online casinos in Indonesia regularly. 

This is the case due to a huge demand and no supply whatsoever. Being that the online casinos that Indonesians play at are actually located in other countries where online gambling is licensed and legal, they fall well outside the Indonesian government’s jurisdiction. 

This could all change in the future. It would, indeed, be a wise move on the part of the Indonesian government to embrace gambling and strictly regulate it being that there’s obviously a large demand and a lot of revenue could be milked from it and returned in the form of social benefits. 

Las Vegas Sands partner, Marina Bay Sands, recently announced that it would like to expand into many Asian countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore. In the event that the laws would change and it could move on in, Sands anticipates that Indonesia would represent a solid ten percent of their business overall. 

Whether or not the laws will be changing in the near future is a different question entirely. Sands is also anticipating a move into Japan in the near future, which seems like more of a reality. To legally get into a densely populated Muslim country with casinos and other means for gambling would be a first and undoubtedly fruitful move.