Indonesia has warned TikTok and Meta to take stronger action against harmful gambling content and remove it without any government order. Indonesia is strictly monitoring...
Bali Governor rejects casino plans to protect culture
Despite several claims that casino reports can bring in huge incomes up to IDR 100 trillion ($6.3 billion), Bali Governor I Wayan firmly rejected a proposal to build a casino on the island, citing the risk of destroying the very thing that makes Bali special—its culture.
CNN Indonesia reports Koster’s statement:
“Bali’s culture is unique – there is only one Bali in the world. That means we have no competitors. If we make the wrong move even once, it could be very dangerous for Bali’s future.”
Koster also pushed back against other large casino development plans, such as a racing track, pointing out the island’s limited land and the importance of preserving traditions. He stressed that money should never come at the cost of Bali’s identity.
Koster commented:
“No one should even think about building a casino in Bali. The number may sound great, but once we take the wrong step, Balinese culture could vanish. The number may sound great, but once we take the wrong step, Balinese culture could vanish.”
From March to August 2025, Bali welcomed 4.3 million foreign visitors. Officials expect that number could rise to 7.2 million by the end of the year, even as the island struggles with traffic, waste problems, and misbehaving tourists.
Earlier, Indonesia blocked e-wallets tied to online gambling.
Indonesia is intensifying its fight against illegal online gambling by targeting e-wallets used for betting and putting many accounts under closure risk.According to the...
