*) By: Arifin Sandy
Online gambling has become an increasingly disturbing social problem in Indonesia. With the rapid development of technology, online gambling can now be easily accessed by anyone, including children and teenagers. It is hoped that the government’s steps in eradicating online gambling will be received positively by all elements of society. Support from various parties, both individuals and institutions, is very important for actions to eradicate online gambling.
Coordinator of the Public Relations Group for the Center for Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis (PPATK), Natsir Kongah, said that until May 2024 alone, there were 14,575 suspicious financial transactions. Meanwhile in 2022 there will be 11,222 transactions and in 2023 there will be 24,850 reports of suspicious financial transactions. From the accumulated figures for online gambling turnover, it can be concluded that this activity continues to increase. If in 2021 only IDR 57 trillion was detected, in 2022 it will jump to IDR 81 trillion. In 2023 it will reach IDR 327 trillion and in the first semester of 2024 it will reach more than IDR 600 trillion.
Collaboration between the government and the private sector also continues to be carried out to deal with this problem. Technology companies and internet service providers are expected to play an active role in blocking access to online gambling sites. With support from the private sector, monitoring and taking action against online gambling can be carried out more effectively. This initiative received appreciation from various groups, because it involved various parties in handling this problem.
Community oversight of government efforts is also very important. The public is expected to report all forms of online gambling activity they encounter. With an easily accessible reporting system, it is hoped that public participation in eradicating online gambling can increase. Community support in the form of reports and information regarding online gambling will really help law enforcement.
Sintang City Police Chief, Inspector Karsa said that online gambling also has a negative impact on the social order of society. When someone is addicted to gambling, they tend to neglect social and family responsibilities. Time that should be spent interacting with family and friends is instead spent gambling. Personal relationships are also threatened, causing conflict, divorce, and even domestic violence. This social impact creates an unhealthy environment and destroys community harmony.
Additionally, online gambling is often linked to other illegal activities, such as money laundering and cybercrime. Illegal online gambling sites often become nests for criminals who use these platforms to launder the proceeds of crime. Additionally, gamblers’ personal data stored on these sites is vulnerable to theft and misuse. Cases of fraud and hacking are increasing, threatening society’s digital security.
Therefore, law enforcement against online gambling continues to be carried out by the government through various policies and regulations. The police and other related institutions have been ordered to increase supervision and action against online gambling activities. With strict regulations and strict sanctions, it is hoped that online gambling can be reduced significantly. These efforts have been supported by various community organizations and public figures who are aware of the negative impacts of online gambling.
Government action in eradicating online gambling does not only involve law enforcement, but also education to the public. Information campaigns about the dangers of online gambling have been disseminated through various media. The public is invited to be more aware of the risks and negative impacts caused by online gambling. Various seminars and workshops have been held to provide further understanding of this issue.
Chairman of the Untirta Student Executive Board (BEM), Gymnastiar, said that the presence of online gambling triggers addiction and plunges students into a cycle of danger that is difficult to escape. The practice of online gambling has damaged moral values and threatened the future of Indonesia’s young generation. Therefore, his party wants the government to continue to enforce law enforcement against online gambling players as well as strict regulations. With good coordination, efforts to tackle online gambling can be more effective.
Meanwhile, support from the mass media also needs to continue to be increased. News and articles about online gambling need to be campaigned to increase public awareness. Mass media plays a role in disseminating information and monitoring developments related to online gambling. The role of the media in the anti-online gambling campaign is considered very crucial in disseminating messages to the public.
With broad support from all elements of society, it is hoped that the government’s steps to eradicate online gambling will produce positive results. Collaboration between government, the private sector, media, educational institutions and society is the key to solving this problem as a whole. It is hoped that the efforts made can create an environment free from the negative impacts of online gambling, as well as protect future generations from the dangers of online gambling.
*) The author is a student living in Jakarta