By: Sani Ansari )*
The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) continues to strengthen efforts to eradicate online gambling (judol) on various digital platforms with firm steps that include blocking content, sites, and social media accounts involved in these illegal activities.
From 2017 to December 10, 2024, Komdigi has successfully tackled more than 5.3 million online gambling content spread across the digital space, and this number continues to grow every month. Komdigi’s efforts are not only focused on removing content, but also ensuring that the latest technology is used to detect and block content more effectively.
In the period of December 2024, Komdigi has taken action against more than 72 thousand content, accounts, and sites related to online gambling, a figure that shows the government’s commitment to eradicating social diseases that are increasingly rampant in cyberspace. This step is in line with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto who wants the government to focus on real actions that have a direct impact on existing social problems.
One of the significant actions that Komdigi has taken is the blocking of online gambling sites, more than half of which come from websites and IP addresses, as well as major social media platforms such as Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google/YouTube, and platform X (formerly Twitter).
Komdigi also did not hesitate to take action against social media accounts with large followers that were used to promote online gambling. Accounts such as @hotmoodly, @montokbangat, and @orang2mabok which have tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of followers, were also targeted in this large-scale operation. This action reflects the seriousness of the government in eradicating gambling content that can damage the morals and integrity of society, especially the younger generation who are more vulnerable to being exposed to such content.
In addition to blocking content related to online gambling, Komdigi also collaborates with various other sectors, including the banking sector and mobile operators. Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, revealed that her party is also working with Bank Himbara to block bank accounts used for online gambling transactions.
According to Meutya, blocking accounts will have a more significant impact than simply blocking sites, because the administration is more difficult and requires further verification from the bank. This step is expected to reduce the number of online gambling transactions that are increasingly rampant in Indonesia.
In addition, Meutya also encouraged cellular operators such as Telkomsel to increase supervision of SIM card ownership registered with the Population Identification Number (NIK), which is a strategic step to reduce misuse of SIM cards to support illegal activities.
By increasing cross-sector cooperation, Komdigi is confident that the eradication of online gambling can be carried out more effectively, providing a deterrent effect on perpetrators, and protecting the public from the dangers caused by these illegal activities.
Blocking online gambling content and other preventive measures are part of the government’s commitment to keeping Indonesia’s digital space clean and safe. The government understands that online gambling is not just an individual problem, but also has a damaging impact on the social and economic order of society more broadly.
Acting Director General of Digital Space Supervision at Komdigi, Alexander Sabar, emphasized that this firm action is part of the government’s commitment to cleaning up the digital space from online gambling activities.
Alexander added that in accordance with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto and Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid, Komdigi will continue to carry out indiscriminate blocking of parties involved in the distribution of gambling content.
Alexander also stated that supervision of gambling activities is not only limited to content on websites or social media, but also involves other sectors such as banking and mobile operators.
Komdigi also warned that online gambling is a serious crime regulated in Article 27 Paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 45 Paragraph 3 of the ITE Law. Any individual or party involved in the dissemination of online gambling information can be subject to the threat of severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of IDR 10 billion.
Head of Komdigi’s Illegal Gambling Internet Content Control Team, Menhariq Noor, said that the active role of the community in reporting online gambling content plays a very important role in supporting this eradication effort. This reflects the increasing awareness among the community about the dangers of online gambling and its impact on families and communities. Komdigi appreciates the community’s contribution in creating a safer and cleaner digital space from damaging content.
The government also continues to strive to strengthen preventive measures in preventing the spread of online gambling. In addition to utilizing the latest technology, Komdigi also plans to continue to work with various institutions and other sectors, such as educational institutions, social organizations, and the media, to provide education to the public about the negative impacts of online gambling and how to report illegal content.
With these firm steps, it is hoped that Indonesia can soon be free from the circulation of damaging online gambling. The government, through Komdigi and other related institutions, is committed to continuing to make improvements and improvements in the digital world, with the hope of creating a healthier digital space and supporting the progress of the country.
Through a comprehensive and collaborative approach, Indonesia can address the problem of online gambling more effectively, reduce the negative impacts caused, and strengthen the integrity of the digital space in the country.
)* Government Policy Analyst
