By: Anindira Princess Maheswani)*
Online gambling is now one of the serious challenges facing Indonesian society, with a devastating impact, both psychologically and economically. Access to online gambling platforms has affected a wide range of people, from adults to children.
The psychological impact can’t be ignored, with so many individuals suffering from addiction and difficulty getting out of this vicious circle. Online gambling addiction triggers mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and compulsive behavior, which ultimately interfere with everyday life and social relationships.
From an economic point of view, the domino effect is very damaging. Many online gamblers suffer huge financial losses, lose assets, and get stuck in uncontrollable debt. It not only destroys personal economic stability, but also adds to the burden of the family to bear the consequences.
Therefore, it is important to raise awareness of the dangers of online gambling and support deterrent efforts to protect the public from the increasingly widespread negative impact.
Online gambling addiction is a condition in which a person constantly feels pushed to gamble, despite being aware of the negative consequences. Psychologist Iswan Saputro explains that this behavior is similar to addiction to substances such as alcohol and drugs, where there is a strong dependence on the sensations produced.
Not only does it affect individuals, online gambling addiction also affects families. In many cases, individuals engaged in online gambling will neglect family responsibilities, including financial matters.
When a head of a family is trapped in a gambling circle, basic needs such as children’s education and other household needs are often ignored. This puts additional pressure on the family, which often ends in conflict and instability in family relations.
According to data released by Antaranews, the Online Gambling Rebellion Unit notes that by 2024, there are 2.37 million online gamblers in Indonesia. What’s even more surprising is that about 80% of these players come from middle to low, and 2% of them are children.
These figures show that online gambling is targeting not only adults, but also the younger generation that should be protected from exposure to this risky activity.
The Indonesian government, through various agencies such as the OJK (Financial Services Authority) and the Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kemenkominfo), continues its efforts to eradicate online gambling. OJK has blocked more than 6,000 indicated accounts used for online gambling transactions.
In addition, OJK also asked banks to perform Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) against customers involved in this activity, so that their access could be restricted or even removed. This step is important to prevent the spread and influence of wider online gambling.
Kemenkominfo didn’t shut up either. They have shut down more than 2.7 million content related to online gambling by the end of July 2024. The closure of this content is part of a major effort to reduce public access to online gambling platforms.
According to the Minister of Communications and Informatics, Budi Arie, this action should be done in concrete terms and not merely as a symbolic step. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between the various parties to ensure that the fight against online gambling runs effectively.
On the other hand, online gambling also has a devastating social impact. Someone who is addicted to online gambling tends to withdraw from their social environment, lose interest in social interaction, and may even engage in criminal acts such as theft to meet their gambling needs. It worsened social conditions in society and damaged the reputation of the families involved.
Societies and families also have an important role to play in preventing the negative impact of online gambling. It is important to raise awareness among families about the dangers of online gambling and to support family members who may be involved in this activity.
Good education and communication within the family can be the first stronghold in preventing involvement in online gambling. Moreover, the public needs to be more active in reporting online gaming activities they know to the authorities.
The economic impact of online gambling cannot be ignored. Many individuals engaged in online gambling go bankrupt, lose assets, and even engage in uncontrolled debt. It is not only detrimental to individuals, but also affects the economic stability of families and communities around them.
The Financial Services Authority and the banks continue to work together to identify and stop transactions related to online gambling, as part of a broader effort to maintain economic stability.
Online gambling is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach from various parties, including governments, communities, and families. The deterrent efforts that have been made so far are important initial steps, but need to be strengthened with education, prevention, and support for individuals trapped in gambling addiction.
Let us together raise awareness and continue to fight against online gambling in order to create a healthier and safer environment for all. Protecting the psychological and economic well-being of communities is our shared responsibility.
)* The author is a contributor to the Persada Institute