Government Intensifies Synergistic Efforts to Eradicate Online Gambling, PPATK and Komdigi Move Simultaneously
)* By: Aulia Sofyan Harahap
The Indonesian government continues to strengthen its commitment to eradicating online gambling practices that are increasingly rampant in society. A number of state institutions are working together to deal with this threat, from blocking sites to tracking suspicious accounts that are suspected of being involved in gambling transactions. These steps are clear evidence that the state is present in maintaining social and economic stability from latent threats in the digital world.
The Director of Certification and Electronic Transaction Supervision at the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), Teguh Arifiyadi, highlighted the significant escalation in online gambling site activity in recent years. He revealed that the number of blocked sites has increased sharply, from around 800 thousand sites over the five years to 2023, to more than 3 million sites blocked in just the last year.
This condition shows that online gambling operators continue to adapt and find loopholes in every blocking action taken by the government. Teguh admitted that even though the blocking had been carried out massively, there were still weaknesses in the system that could be exploited by perpetrators. This is what then emphasized the importance of community involvement in combating online gambling.
According to Teguh, the main problem lies in the lack of user awareness. He said that most perpetrators do not feel like victims, even though they are trapped in a system that is detrimental to their personal and national future. Therefore, an educational approach is considered to be the main key in building collective awareness to reject online gambling.
One of the educational steps initiated was the launch of the film Agen+62, an action comedy film that aims to convey the message of the dangers of online gambling to the public, especially the younger generation. This film is a creative campaign medium and is more easily accepted by the public because it emphasizes the element of humor, something that is considered more effective in touching the emotional side of the audience.
The producer of the film Agen+62, Orchida Ramadhania, stated that the comedy genre was chosen because it reflects the character of the Indonesian nation which is resilient and accustomed to facing problems with laughter. Through this approach, serious messages about the dangers of online gambling can be conveyed in a way that is not patronizing, but still raises awareness.
A similar opinion was also expressed by Rieke Diah Pitaloka, the main actor in the film. She emphasized that the artistic approach has extraordinary power in shaping public awareness. According to her, raising awareness cannot be done simply with orders or reprimands, especially for those who are already trapped in addiction. Education that involves the human heart and experience is considered more memorable.
Rieke also emphasized the importance of synergy between all parties in efforts to eradicate online gambling. She considered it impossible for only one or two institutions to work alone. There must be a joint movement, involving ministries, financial institutions, the world of education, the media, and civil society, to jointly stem the massive flow of online gambling.
On the other hand, strategic steps have also been taken by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) in tracing suspicious fund flows. The Head of PPATK, Ivan Yustiavandana, revealed that his party had identified more than 25 thousand accounts suspected of being related to online gambling activities. The total balance of these accounts reached more than IDR 1 trillion.
The data, according to Ivan, was obtained from 2023 to mid-2025. He said that many of the accounts were categorized as dormant, namely bank accounts that have not been actively transacting for a long time, but were then controlled by certain parties for illegal purposes, including online gambling, fraud, and drug crimes.
PPATK, in its capacity as regulated by Law Number 8 of 2010, has taken temporary suspension measures against these accounts. This step is part of the implementation of the National Movement for the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing.
Ivan emphasized that the suspension of transactions on dormant accounts is not merely a form of punishment, but more of an effort to protect account owners who may not be aware of the misuse of their accounts. This action also aims to prevent the potential for greater losses and maintain the integrity of the national financial system.
He added that the existence of online gambling not only creates social damage, but can also pose an economic threat in the form of capital outflow or flight of money abroad. This is certainly dangerous for the stability of the Indonesian economy which is growing towards a healthy and competitive digital society.
Government,through cross-sector collaboration such as Komdigi and PPATK, shows that eradicating online gambling is not just a momentary campaign. This is a long-term work that requires consistency, innovation, and participation from all elements of the nation. Public education, blocking sites, tracking financial transactions, and utilizing arts and culture are part of a grand strategy to close the space for online gambling in the country.
With this integrated approach, the government hopes that the public will be more aware and protected from the hidden dangers behind games that promise false profits, but leave huge losses for personal life, family, and the country.
)* Public Policy Observer – Bentang Nusantara Public Policy Study Institute
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