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Jakarta May Legalise Gambling

Jakarta is considering lifting its 23-year old gambling ban to profit from the billions of rupiah that exchange hands in illegal gambling pockets - particularly in and around Jakarta's Chinatown.

Proposed by a research group in the University of Indonesia, the motivation is an economic one to boost the city's revenues as well as curb debilitating crimes related to illegal gambling in the city.

The target clientele of these gambling centres would be the ethnic Chinese and the wealthy segment of Jakarta's population.

"The gambling centre should be located far away from slum areas and would cater only to people who can afford it," said Budhisantosa of the Centre of Development Study.

Gambling was legal in designated areas in Jakarta up to 1978 and revenue earned from these spots were directed to altruistic causes like building mosques, churches, schools, and hospitals.

Several radical Muslim groups are however opposed to the idea because it undermines Islamic teachings forbidding gambling. Control therefore, is a chief concern among supportive members of the provincial legislature.

To prevent a potential backlash, plans are being made to situate the gambling zone away on outlying resort islands that are currently the holiday havens for Jakarta's rich.

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