Education and Enforcement Solutions to Prevent Mental Damage to Society Due to Online Gambling
By: Darmawan Hutagalung )*
Online gambling has become a serious threat to Indonesian society. Not only does it cause financial losses, this activity also has a significant impact on the mental health of its players. Acting Director General of Digital Space Supervision of the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi), Alexander Sabar, revealed that online gambling addiction can cause various psychological problems, ranging from stress, anxiety, to depression. This condition is often experienced by players who experience major losses in a short time, creating emotional stress that is difficult to overcome.
Efforts to eradicate online gambling require synergy between various parties, including the government, law enforcement officers, community leaders, and families. Alexander Sabar emphasized the importance of an active role between institutions to ensure that the steps taken can have a long-term impact. Meanwhile, the community also has a responsibility to support this effort, both by increasing supervision of children and by participating in digital literacy programs.
In addition, there is another risk that is rarely realized by the public, namely the threat to the security of personal data. Many illegal online gambling sites do not have clear privacy policies, making sensitive player information, such as telephone numbers, email addresses, and bank account data, vulnerable to misuse by irresponsible parties. This worsens the psychological impact experienced by players, because they not only have to face financial losses, but also the threat of data theft.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhaimin Iskandar, said that online gambling not only harms individuals, but also creates new social and economic burdens for the country. Online gambling often causes “new poverty” in society. The economic structure of the family is destroyed by family members who are trapped in gambling, while the false narrative about the opportunity for big profits from online gambling continues to attract new victims. According to him, digital literacy is the key to building collective awareness about the dangers of online gambling.
Muhaimin also emphasized that digital literacy should be a top priority in dealing with this problem. He emphasized that the public needs to be given an understanding of how online gambling is designed to trap players, as well as the importance of recognizing early signs of addiction. In addition, the public needs to be taught to be wiser in using technology and avoid risky content.
The reality on the ground shows that the problem of online gambling has spread to various levels of society, from farmers, small traders, state civil servants, to children. Data from the Ministry of Communication and Information noted that from 2017 to December 2024, more than 5.3 million online gambling accounts had been deleted. However, this practice is still rampant, even in 2024 there was a significant increase with more than 3.6 million online gambling accounts being deleted. This figure shows that repressive measures alone are not enough to eradicate online gambling completely.
One of the most worrying things is the involvement of children in online gambling. Kemkomdigi noted that as many as 30 thousand children under the age of 10 have been exposed to online gambling activities. Gadgets that should be used for learning have instead become media for gambling. This condition raises deep concerns among parents. They are required to be more vigilant and actively monitor children’s digital activities, especially if there are changes in behavior, such as being alone more often or withdrawing from social activities.
Director of Media Management of the Directorate General of Public Communication and Media of the Ministry of Communication and Digital, Nursodik Gunarjo, explained that online gambling bookies use various modes to catch victims. One common way is to use advertising algorithms on the internet to display massive gambling promotions. Victims are also often invited by friends or colleagues to try online gambling games. The process starts from registration, playing, until finally getting caught in a phase of addiction that is difficult to get out of.
Online gambling victims generally come from lower-middle class families who are tempted by the promise of quick profits. In addition to financial reasons, many victims play online gambling to fill their free time because they do not have permanent jobs. Unfortunately, online gambling actually worsens their economic situation, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to overcome.
The government has taken various steps to eradicate online gambling. Through the Ministry of Communication and Digital, cyber patrols are routinely carried out to detect and delete accounts suspected of online gambling. In the past decade, this effort has resulted in the closure of millions of online gambling accounts. However, without a massive educational approach, repressive measures alone are not effective enough.
Online gambling is a real threat that should not be taken lightly. Its damaging impacts on mental health, the economy, and personal data security make it one of the biggest challenges facing Indonesian society today. Therefore, educational and enforcement steps must go hand in hand to create an environment free from the trap of online gambling. With strong awareness and cooperation, Indonesian society can be free from this great danger.
)* Social Empowerment Consultant – National Welfare Center
