By: Munawir Ahmad )*
The government has affirmed its strong commitment to protecting the younger generation from the increasingly worrying threat of online gambling. The increasing involvement of children, even elementary school students, in online gambling practices has become a serious concern for various ministries and state institutions.
Through targeted educational measures and cross-sector collaboration, the government is striving to ensure early prevention measures are implemented to significantly reduce the social and moral impacts of this practice.
The Deputy Attorney General for General Crimes, Asep Nana Mulyana, explained that monitoring by the Prosecutor’s Office (AGO) shows that online gambling perpetrators come from various social backgrounds, including students and vulnerable communities.
Based on data as of September 2025, online gambling perpetrators have been found among elementary school students, farmers, and even the homeless. These findings demonstrate that online gambling has penetrated all levels of society, regardless of age or economic status.
According to AGO records, the majority of online gambling perpetrators are male, reaching over 80 percent, while women make up around 12 percent. In terms of age, the productive age group between 26 and 50 dominates, followed by the young age group 18 to 25.
The presence of perpetrators under 18 is an important indicator for the government to strengthen preventive measures through education and digital literacy.
The Attorney General’s Office, together with the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam), the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi), and other institutions, has established an Online Gambling Eradication Desk, which focuses on coordinating law enforcement and public education.
One of the desk’s main priorities is improving public literacy, particularly among students and adolescents, so they have a strong understanding of the risks and legal consequences of online gambling.
The Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar, believes that the root cause of online gambling among young people cannot be addressed solely through enforcement but must also be accompanied by systematic educational efforts.
The government is now collaborating with educational institutions and religious leaders to provide counseling that addresses moral and social aspects. This approach is expected to strengthen young people’s resilience against the temptations of instant economic opportunities offered by online gambling sites.
In addition to focusing on character education, the government is also reviewing the regulatory system related to monitoring online activities. This regulatory overhaul includes establishing rules and strengthening coordination between ministries to ensure that any legal loopholes that perpetrators could potentially exploit can be promptly closed.
With stricter oversight, the government is striving to ensure that online gambling practices no longer have room to flourish in Indonesia’s digital environment.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) highlighted the importance of taking concrete steps to address children already involved in online gambling. According to KPAI Commissioner Dian Sasmita, data on children involved in such activities needs to be distributed to relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection and the Ministry of Social Affairs. This approach is crucial so that child care does not stop at data collection but progresses to rehabilitation and mentoring.
KPAI believes that changing children’s behavior requires support from their immediate environment, especially their families. Therefore, local governments are expected to strengthen family care programs as part of the national strategy for preventing online gambling. The family is considered the main pillar in shaping a child’s character, so its role must be strengthened through guidance and support from the government.
The government also ensures that children who fall into online gambling do not lose their right to education. The approach taken is not based on punishment, but rather on coaching so that children can continue their education. Through education, children are expected to develop positive potential and change their behavior for the better.
These steps demonstrate that the government is not only taking action against online gambling perpetrators but also building a more comprehensive social protection system. By prioritizing education, regulatory reform, and family support, the government aims to develop a morally resilient young generation, critical in using digital media, and aware of the dangers of online gambling.
These efforts also reflect the government’s long-term vision of building a healthy digital ecosystem. The government is committed to creating an internet space that is safe, productive, and free from illegal practices that harm the younger generation.
With public support,In collaboration with the educational sector and religious institutions, this major online gambling prevention agenda is believed to be a sustainable national movement. Collective awareness across all elements of the nation is key to ensuring Indonesian children grow up in a positive, protected, and highly competitive digital environment.
As part of this follow-up, the government is also designing a national digital campaign involving young influencers and creative communities to effectively convey moral messages about preventing online gambling on the platforms most accessed by young people.
Through a modern and relevant communication approach, it is hoped that messages about the dangers of online gambling will be received without being patronizing. The synergy between formal education, public campaigns, and digital literacy will strengthen the resilience of the younger generation against various forms of cybercrime in the future.
)* Public Policy Observer