By: Bara Winatha)*
The phenomenon of online gambling has once again become a serious concern in Indonesia. Online gambling not only causes economic losses but also triggers moral decay, family instability, and increased social burdens in communities. Experts and legislators emphasize that the government must leave no room for this illegal practice, as its impact reaches the very foundation of society—families. Although waves of enforcement by ministries and cross-sector agencies are showing results, the struggle continues, as online gambling transactions still reach hundreds of trillions of rupiah annually.
Prof. Dr. Tika Widiastuti, a Sharia Economics expert and Professor of Islamic Social Economics and Finance at Airlangga University, stated that online gambling is an economic activity fundamentally contrary to religious and ethical economic principles. From a Sharia perspective, online gambling falls under the category of maisir, which is prohibited because it relies entirely on speculation without a real underlying transaction. Prof. Tika emphasized that economic activity in Sharia must avoid riba, gharar, and maisir, all of which are inherent in online gambling.
She further noted that gambling does not generate economic value, does not produce real assets, and erodes the blessing in the lives of its participants. The prevalence of online gambling not only damages individual morality but also undermines family economic stability, as the money played yields no productive benefit. Prof. Tika stressed that young generations must understand that blessed wealth comes from real sectors and genuine effort, not from speculative activities that promise instant riches but ultimately ruin lives.
From a legislative standpoint, Oleh Soleh, a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission I from the PKB Party, stated that online gambling eradication must be pursued with aggressive and continuous law enforcement. He noted that site blocking alone is insufficient because gambling networks operate across borders and use ever-evolving technology systems. Oleh stressed the need for inter-agency coordination among the Ministry of Communication and Digital, police, PPATK, and financial institutions to ensure illegal money flows are cut off at their roots.
The government’s success in blocking over 2.4 million online gambling sites and content within two weeks in October–November 2025 is a significant achievement demonstrating the state’s seriousness in protecting society. He also praised the 57 percent reduction in online gambling transaction values over one year, from IDR 359 trillion in 2024 to IDR 155 trillion by the third quarter of 2025. According to him, these results should motivate continued legal action and public education. He highlighted the importance of enhancing digital literacy so the public understands that many online gambling advertisements are disguised as investment opportunities, games, or bonus credits that appear harmless. Public education is crucial to foster collective awareness that online gambling is a crime that jeopardizes the nation’s future generations.
Meanwhile, Nurul Arifin, another member of Commission I from the Golkar Party, said that the government’s strategy to combat online gambling is on the right track, particularly through a comprehensive approach that not only blocks access but also traces financial flows. She noted that the blocking of 2.4 million pieces of content and reporting of 23,604 suspicious accounts by Komdigi and PPATK are concrete evidence of the effectiveness of digital governance in tackling technology-driven crime.
Handling online gambling requires high-level collaboration, including with international partners, as this crime is inherently cross-border. Minister Meutya Hafid’s efforts to coordinate with other governments in tackling online gambling are strategic steps in facing global digital challenges. The government’s swift action against illegal platforms must be paired with public vigilance to avoid falling into content that leads to gambling.
Nurul also emphasized that public participation is an integral part of successfully combating online gambling. She urged citizens to report accounts, websites, or digital ads promoting gambling so the government can act quickly to block access. The digital space is public space that must be safeguarded collectively, and the public plays a crucial role in ensuring the digital ecosystem remains safe, clean, and productive.
Although the trend in declining online gambling transactions shows positive results, future threats remain significant. New methods, including the use of digital wallets, file sharing, disguised game apps, and international networks, make online gambling a complex crime requiring long-term monitoring. Without improved digital literacy and collective awareness, legal deterrence alone will be insufficient to curb the pursuit of instant profits by perpetrators and illegal platforms.
Online gambling is not merely a legal violation; it is a digital trap offering the lure of quick wealth but leading to bankruptcy, broken families, and moral decay. The government has shown firm and measured steps, but full success can only be achieved if society also rejects all forms of gambling, resists temptation, and supports eradication efforts through digital vigilance and reporting. Combating online gambling is a shared struggle between the government and the public to protect the nation’s social and economic future.
*)The author is a social and community observer.