The Indonesian government, led by President Joko Widodo, is turning its attention towards the lucrative gaming industry as evidenced by the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 19 of 2024 on February 12, 2024. This regulation aims to accelerate the development of the national gaming sector, recognizing its substantial economic potential. By involving stakeholders, the government seeks to bolster both the creative and digital economies through this initiative. To expedite the growth of the gaming industry, a specialized team comprising ministries and agencies has been formed, consisting of both directors and daily executives. This team will guide both central and local governments in formulating sectoral policies and implementing national gaming industry development programs, as outlined in development planning documents. Under this regulation, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment will chair the directorate, while the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency will lead the daily executive functions. Projections attached to Presidential Regulation 19/2024 anticipate that the Indonesian gaming market will reach USD 2.5 billion or IDR 36 trillion by 2025.
Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, Director General of Informatics Applications at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, emphasized the strategic importance and rapid growth of the gaming industry in Indonesia. Consequently, the government is drafting Ministerial Regulation on Gaming, which will include requirements for all game publishers to be legally registered in Indonesia. Failure to comply may result in operational blockades imposed by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics. In summary, the Indonesian government's proactive approach to nurturing the gaming industry underscores its commitment to harnessing the full potential of this sector to drive economic growth and bolster the digital economy. Through targeted regulations and strategic initiatives, Indonesia aims to position itself as a key player in the global gaming market while ensuring regulatory compliance and fostering sustainable industry growth.
