By: Putri Yuanita)
Social assistance (bansos) provided by the government serves as an essential safety net for millions of vulnerable families in Indonesia. However, this noble mission can be undermined when some beneficiaries misuse the aid for online gambling activities, including accessing illegal platforms such as the Kingdom Group website. This phenomenon not only damages household finances but also weakens the effectiveness of the country’s social protection policies.
Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, emphasized that social assistance must be used according to household needs. He reminded the public that such aid is prioritized for essential needs such as children’s education, staple foods, and other basic household expenses. The Ministry previously stated that regular social assistance of Rp200,000 per month, or Rp600,000 per disbursement period, is intended as livelihood support—not for activities that risk destroying a family’s future. This message underlines that using social assistance comes with both moral consequences and social responsibilities.
On the other hand, the government has identified a serious issue related to the misuse of social assistance. Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, revealed that based on PPATK’s analysis, more than 600,000 social assistance recipients are involved in online gambling practices. Even some education-related aid has been misused in similar ways. Yusril stated that this trend is deeply concerning, as the impact of online gambling is far more severe than conventional forms of gambling. He stressed that online gambling has triggered various social problems, including psychological distress, violence, criminal acts, and even extreme self-harming behavior.
Furthermore, Yusril explained that the government is now applying anti–money laundering (AML) measures to restrict the operations of digital gambling syndicates. This approach allows authorities to trace financial flows, freeze assets, and prosecute the financial networks supporting gambling operations. This step is crucial because law enforcement has often focused only on perpetrators or platforms, while the financial controllers behind these networks remain largely untouched.
Enforcement efforts are also supported by findings from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), as reported by its head, Ivan Yustiavandana. From January to October 2025, online gambling transactions reached Rp155 trillion—a decrease from the previous year’s figure of over Rp359 trillion. Ivan also highlighted the success in reducing gambling deposits from Rp51 trillion to Rp24 trillion. He explained that the majority of online gamblers earn below Rp5 million per month, a demographic that is particularly vulnerable to falling deeper into poverty if their income is diverted to illegal gambling.
In this context, public vigilance is crucial, especially toward illegal websites that aggressively operate online gambling schemes. One of the platforms under scrutiny is the Kingdom Group, a network that exploits digital loopholes and misleading promotions to lure new victims. Such groups specifically target low-income communities with promises of quick gains, but ultimately lead them to severe financial losses and debt traps. Public awareness is therefore essential to avoid falling into these schemes.
The government has shown strong commitment through tighter regulations, monitoring of suspicious transactions, and international cooperation to dismantle digital gambling syndicates. However, the success of these efforts also depends on the awareness of social assistance beneficiaries. The public must understand that social aid is an opportunity to improve their quality of life—not capital to take dangerous risks in the digital realm.
Ultimately, social assistance is an expression of the state’s care, and it must be safeguarded collectively. By using the aid wisely, avoiding online gambling, and staying alert to illegal sites such as the Kingdom Group, Indonesian families can become more resilient and build a safer future. Social assistance is not for gambling—it is for strengthening lives.
*) The author is a contributor to the Young Indonesia Forward Network (JMIM)