Batam Casino Owner Charged with Money Laundering

Indonesian police have charged Suwanda, the owner of the Nine Stage Lounge and Bar casino in Batam, Riau Islands, with money laundering. This move by the Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police adds a significant charge to the ongoing gambling investigation.

The raid on the casino, which took place on August 15, resulted in the arrest of 197 people. Authorities also confiscated 7.7 billion Indonesian rupiah in cash. The operation was the culmination of nearly three months of intensive investigation, prompted by public reports and media monitoring of the casino's activities.

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The suspect named Suwanda alias Akau is not only charged with casino-related criminal acts but also with money laundering.

Among the 197 individuals apprehended, police identified various roles within the casino's operations. This included Suwanda, identified as the owner (initial A), along with managers, cashiers, supervisors, chip exchangers, dealers, and marketing staff. Notably, 96 of those arrested were players, including 10 foreign nationals: seven from China, two from Singapore, and one from Malaysia.

Police also seized a variety of gambling equipment, such as slot machines, mahjong tables, dice machines, and fish shooting games. Nine key suspects, including Suwanda, were transferred to Jakarta for further intensive questioning at the National Police headquarters. A joint team also searched a luxury house in Batam believed to be connected to the suspects.

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This action was not only based on public information but also on information from my colleagues in Batam and from the media. Then we took a step to conduct a raid or take action against casino-type gambling activities.