Batam ‘gambling’ arcades protested

Arcades that allow betting are flourishing in Batam, Riau Islands, despite opposition from hard-line Islamic groups.

The recent mushrooming of mechanical and electronic game arcades (gelper), however, has not boosted tourist arrivals from nearby Singapore and Malaysia.

Tourist arrivals to Batam plummeted to under 1 million from a high of 1.5 million after former National Police chief Gen. Sutanto banned gambling in the region in 2005.

However, tourist numbers have not rebounded after gambling was reintroduced to Batam on a small scale in 2008, when the Batam municipality issued permits to 27 arcades to operate 800 machines.

The arcades, some of which feature state-of-the-art slot machines, are typically located in shopping malls and open before the majority of other shops and close late in the evening.

Players buy tokens to use with the games and are paid any winnings in tokens. Attendants outside the arcades exchange tokens for cash, which, according to critics, is done to prevent the impression that the arcades are involved in gambling.

The local branches of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and Islamiyah Ukuwah Forum have repeatedly urged the Batam municipality and the Batam Police to close the arcades.

The leader of MUI’s Riau Islands group, Tengku Azhari Abbas, told The Jakarta Post on Monday that official permits should not deter the police from closing the arcades, which were obviously promoting gambling.

However, the police have reportedly been slow to close the arcades due to alleged involvement of police officers in operating the arcades.

“Gambling is again rife in Batam after a few years of freedom from the activity,” Azhari said.

“We are disappointed with the Batam municipality for issuing gambling licenses. The presence of the arcades has sparked social conflict and has had a negative impacts bigger than its benefits.”

According to Azhari, the municipality and police have not closed the arcades – despite the MUI’s allegations of several gambling-related incidents connected to the arcades.

“We urge National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo to close the hundreds of gambling facilities in Batam,” Azhari said.

“Gambling has caused concern among parents because it threatens the younger generation.”

Riau Islands Tourism Office head Guntur Sakti said the presence of the arcades in Batam has boosted local income.

The arcades contribute up to Rp 1 billion (US$107,000) to the municipality’s coffers every month, he said.

“The arcades are not gambling but an electronic game. If it contains gambling elements, just report it to authorities,” Guntur said.

The ubiquity of arcades has been matched by the popularity of the thriving shopping malls hosting the gaming rooms, such as Nagoya Hill, Kepri Mall, Harbour Bay Mall and DC Mall.

Batam municipal council vice speaker Ruslan Kasbulatov said the city council and administration received input from local prosecutors that the arcades could continue to operate despite including elements of gambling.

Any allegations of illegal activity at the arcades would be mooted provided the operator was in possession of a permit issued by the municipality, he said.

“As it is a legal opinion, we allow arcade operators to continue. Don’t be afraid to operate. They are equipped with permits,” Ruslan said.