By: Andika Pratama
The government has once again demonstrated its firmness and seriousness in eradicating the practice of Online Gambling that has disturbed society at various levels. Through real steps taken by the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the public is now witnessing the concrete impact of firm and structured law enforcement efforts. The public also provides full support for this step, because it is believed to be a form of state protection against the increasingly widespread social threats caused by Online Gambling.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, in his performance report on the 79th Bhayangkara Day commemoration, explained that the National Police have uncovered 1,297 cases of Online Gambling and arrested 1,492 suspects. This number reflects the intensity and scope of Online Gambling practices involving organized networks on a national scale. Moreover, the National Police have also confiscated evidence worth IDR 922 billion, and followed up on money laundering cases directly related to digital gambling practices, with total assets worth IDR 1.8 trillion that were successfully secured.
The strategic steps of the National Police also include the establishment of the Cyber Investigation Directorate in eight Regional Police as a response to the increasingly complex challenges of digital crime. Cyber-based crimes, especially Online Gambling, require adequate technological handling and trained human resources. The decision to strengthen the digital law enforcement infrastructure is a step forward that is highly appreciated by the public.
Society is paying serious attention to the negative impacts of Online Gambling. In many cases, this practice has led to the destruction of households, increased crime rates, and mental health disorders. More worryingly, this practice has even begun to target children and teenagers. This situation raises great concerns about the future of the younger generation who are increasingly exposed to gambling content disguised as digital entertainment.
At the local level, the police in the region are also taking preventive measures to ensure that their institutions are free from the influence of Online Gambling. Parigi Moutong Police Chief, Central Sulawesi, AKBP Hendrawan Agustina Nugraha emphasized that the eradication of Online Gambling starts from the internal environment of the National Police institution. By conducting routine inspections of personnel’s personal devices, the Parimo Police have demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the police institution as a protector of the community.
Furthermore, a collaborative approach is also prioritized by involving religious and community leaders in educational efforts. The appeal to reject Online Gambling is not only legal, but also packaged in a moral and religious value approach. This is an effective strategy in building collective awareness that Online Gambling is not just a violation of the law, but also a social disease that erodes the nation’s cultural values.
Support for the eradication of Online Gambling also came from community organizations, including students. The Regional Leadership of the Nahdlatul Ulama Female Student Association (PW IPPNU) of North Sumatra emphasized its commitment to fully support the government’s steps. The Chairperson of PW IPPNU North Sumatra, Desy Wulan Dari, appealed to the younger generation not to be tempted to follow the trend of promoting Online Gambling sites for material gain alone. She highlighted that promotional gambling content is now increasingly widespread on social media and involves a number of influencers, including women.
Desy assessed that women’s participation in promoting Online Gambling is a form of serious violation of moral and legal values. PW IPPNU reminded that the promotion of such content can be charged with Article 303 of the Criminal Code and the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE). Therefore, the active role of the community, especially the younger generation, in rejecting and reporting promotional gambling content is very important to strengthen eradication efforts as a whole.
The Police’s firm steps in eradicating Online Gambling by closing access to 186,713 sites is one of the real proofs that the state is not sitting idly by. The action is also directed not only at the perpetrators in the field, but also targeting financial networks that channel funds illegally, including in the form of Money Laundering (TPPU). This shows that the eradication of Online Gambling does not stop at the surface, but touches the root of the problem to the funding system that supports the practice.
Public support for the government’s steps is not without reason. Many have become victims, both directly and indirectly, of the negative impacts of Online Gambling. Many families have lost economic stability, children have lost their way, and social communities have been disrupted by the high crime rate due to addiction to digital gambling. Therefore, this enforcement policy is felt as a real form of the state’s presence in protecting its citizens.
The government, through the National Police and related institutions, has shown its seriousness. However, the challenges ahead are still not easy. Rapid technological developments allow online gambling perpetrators to continue to innovate in hiding their activities. For this reason, cross-sector involvement is needed, starting from law enforcement officers, educational institutions, religious organizations, media, to digital communities to work together to eradicate this practice.
Eradicating Online Gambling is not just a law enforcement agenda, but also a moral struggle for the nation. When the government is actively present, and the community fully supports it, then Indonesia can win this fight for a healthier, smarter, and more dignified generation.
*The author is an Anti-Online Gambling Activist
