By: Fitri Lubis )*
Advances in digital technology have provided great convenience in various aspects of life, especially in terms of financial transactions. The increasingly sophisticated digital payment system allows people to make transactions quickly and practically, without having to use cash. However, behind this progress, there is a serious risk that is now lurking: the misuse of the digital financial system by online gambling networks.
Throughout 2024, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) noted that online gambling activities in Indonesia had generated an extraordinary turnover of funds, reaching IDR 359 trillion. This figure reflects how massive and complex the crime network is, as well as being a warning to all parties of the major threat to national economic stability.
PPATK Deputy for Analysis and Examination, Danang Tri Hartono, revealed that of the total turnover, the value of deposits that were successfully identified was IDR 51 trillion. He explained that if it is assumed that around 20 percent of that amount is used for operational needs and player winning payments, then the remaining around IDR 40 trillion has the potential to flow abroad. This is clearly a significant loss for the national economy because the money does not return to the domestic economic circulation.
Danang explained that online gambling perpetrators are now taking advantage of the development of digital payment systems to expand the reach of their illegal activities. Initially, transactions were carried out directly via bank transfers or digital wallets to holding accounts. However, over time, this mode has evolved. The perpetrators are now using a QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard)-based payment system, which is considered more difficult to track because not all payment accounts undergo a strict identity verification process (Know Your Customer/KYC).
PPATK noted that of the total value of online gambling deposits in 2024, IDR 26 trillion still used conventional transfer methods. However, around IDR 24 trillion was made via QRIS. This figure shows that there has been a significant shift in the mode of transactions that needs serious attention from all parties, especially regulators and digital financial service providers.
Meanwhile, digital wallet platforms such as OVO have also become targets for abuse by online gambling networks. OVO President Director Karaniya Dharmasaputra stated that his party continues to strengthen its internal monitoring system to suppress such practices. He said that suspicious transactions suspected of being related to online gambling activities have been suppressed by more than 90 percent on the platform. This proves that with a good monitoring and cooperation system, loopholes for abuse can be minimized.
Karaniya also emphasized that the misuse of digital wallet accounts was carried out without OVO’s knowledge. He encouraged the importance of synergy between digital service providers, regulators such as Bank Indonesia and OJK, and monitoring institutions such as PPATK to maintain the cleanliness of Indonesia’s digital ecosystem.
He also highlighted the emergence of fake merchants in the digital payment ecosystem. Many of them are used as a cover by online gamblers. This mode is carried out by registering fictitious businesses, such as meatball stalls or grocery stores, which do not actually run real businesses. One example of the irregularities that were revealed was a merchant called Warung Bakso which recorded billions of rupiah in transactions between 01.00 and 03.00 in the morning, an unusual time for food buying and selling activities.
In response to this phenomenon, the government together with PPATK, Bank Indonesia, and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) are strengthening supervision of the digital payment ecosystem. One of the strategic steps that has been implemented is to require payment gateway service providers to report their transactions periodically to PPATK. The goal is that any suspicious activity can be immediately detected and followed up legally.
In addition, merchant aggregators or parties that collect various online merchants are also given great responsibility to carry out comprehensive validation of their business partners. If there are strong indications of involvement in illegal practices such as online gambling, cooperation with the merchant must be stopped immediately.
The government is also encouraging increased digital literacy in the community to be more aware of the potential for misuse of the digital payment system. Online gambling is not only a legal and moral issue, but also has a serious impact on the national economic sector. Illegal funds that are not officially recorded increase the risk of money laundering, reduce the potential for taxesk that should go into the state treasury, and ultimately weaken public trust in the existing digital system.
The public is advised not to be tempted by the promise of quick profits offered by online gambling sites. Behind the promised false pleasure, there is the potential for the destruction of the individual economy, family harmony, and the social order of society as a whole.
To create a clean and productive digital space, cooperation is needed from all parties: the government, industry players, and the community. Firm action must go hand in hand with prevention efforts and public education. That way, digital technology, which was actually created for progress, does not turn into a tool that destroys the future of the nation.
)* Digital Economy Observer – Ekonomi Inovasi Foundation
