*) By: Andi Mahesa
Online gambling has become one of the increasingly worrying social problems in Indonesia. With the advancement of technology and increasingly widespread internet access, online gambling practices have grown rapidly, reaching various groups and ages. Not only does it have an impact on the economic aspect, but it also threatens the social and moral order of the nation. Realizing these negative impacts, the government, through various agencies, is increasingly actively making efforts to eradicate online gambling. This step deserves full support from all elements of society.
As conveyed by the Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital (Kemenkomdigi), Nezar Patria, the government is firmly committed to eradicating online gambling which is increasingly rampant. According to Nezar, advances in information and communication technology should be used to improve the quality of life of the community, not the other way around, used for illegal activities such as gambling. In his statement, Nezar emphasized that Kominfo together with a number of other institutions continue to block online gambling sites, as well as coordinate with internet service providers to narrow the scope for this illegal practice.
Eradication of online gambling cannot be done by one institution alone. Cooperation between various agencies is very important to maximize the effectiveness of the actions taken. One of them is the involvement of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) which through the Acting. Head of the Department of Literacy, Financial Inclusion, and Communication of OJK, M. Ismail Riyadi, said that one important strategy in eradicating online gambling is to increase financial literacy in the community. According to Riyadi, people who understand good financial management will be wiser in managing their finances and will find it easier to recognize the danger signs of online gambling.
In addition, Ismail Riyadi also said that OJK encourages counseling on the risks and impacts of online gambling which are not only financially detrimental but can also lead individuals into legal and social problems. By increasing financial literacy and providing clear information, OJK hopes that the public can be more critical in dealing with increasingly aggressive gambling offers on the internet.
Not only that, the National Police through the Chief of Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has also taken firm steps in eradicating online gambling. General Listyo emphasized that the police have worked with various parties to monitor and take action against online gambling sites.
Then, law enforcement officers are also part of the government’s strategy in eradicating online gambling. The Chief of Police added that a special team from the police has been involved to monitor online gambling transactions and ensure that the perpetrators involved can be processed according to applicable law.
The concrete steps taken by the government and law enforcement officers in eradicating online gambling are commendable. Solid collaboration shows that efforts to eradicate online gambling are not carried out partially, but with a holistic approach. The government has given serious attention to not only cracking down on this illegal practice, but also to educating the public about the dangers of online gambling. This education is very important because only with a good understanding will the public be more aware of the potential dangers that can arise.
The government’s policy of focusing on blocking online gambling sites and taking action against bookies has also shown significant results. Although challenges still exist, with stricter regulations and cooperation between agencies, the movement of online gambling sites can be suppressed. This blocking is important so that people do not get caught up in detrimental temptations. Moreover, the government also continues to improve the security system in cyberspace to ensure that there is no room for illegal practices that damage the nation’s generation.
However, eradicating online gambling is not only the responsibility of the government and law enforcement officers. The community also has an important role in stopping the spread of this increasingly rampant gambling practice. Education about the dangers of gambling must be carried out starting from the family, school, to the wider community. The role of parents is very important in providing an understanding to their children about the negative impacts of gambling, both from an economic and social perspective.
The biggest challenge is when online gambling targets young people who are vulnerable to manipulation and temptation offered by gambling sites. Therefore, the public needs to increase their awareness of the spread of online gambling content, as well as educate their children about the dangers of gambling addiction and its negative impacts on their future. The government also has a very large role in providing clear information about the dangers of gambling and the steps that can be taken to avoid it.
The public must realize that online gambling is a serious threat that we must face together. Its impact is not only felt by individuals, but can also damage the social and economic order of society as a whole. Facing the increasingly widespread problem of online gambling, cooperation is needed between the government, society, and the private sector to find solutions. Stricter regulation of online gambling sites and online gaming platform providers is essential to prevent people from getting caught up in this illegal gambling world. Therefore, let us support all efforts made by the government and law enforcement to eradicate online gambling.
*) The author is a student who lives in Jakarta.