Beware of the Dangers of Online Gambling: A Real Threat to Families and the Future of the Nation
By: Cahyo Widjaya )*
The rise of online gambling practices in recent months has become a social phenomenon that deserves to be watched out for. This phenomenon is no longer just a momentary entertainment in cyberspace, but has ensnared many people from various backgrounds, especially low-income communities, in a cycle of poverty that is increasingly difficult to break.
Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Aria Bima, expressed his concern over the increasing trend of online gambling activities in Indonesia. He said that in the last three months, topics about online gambling have dominated various media channels, both social media, mainstream media, and other digital media. According to him, what appears on the surface is only the tip of the iceberg of deeper problems.
Aria explained that around 71 percent of online gamblers come from groups with incomes below five million rupiah per month. This means that the majority of players come from groups with low purchasing power, some of whom do not even have a fixed income. This figure is a strong indicator that online gambling has infected the most economically vulnerable groups.
Furthermore, he explained that the impact of online gambling is not only economic, but also touches on the moral aspects and social structure of society. Money that should be used for basic needs such as food, children’s education, and other living expenses is instead diverted to speculative activities that have no certainty of results. As a result, household stability is disrupted. Quarrels between husband and wife and between parents and children are also unavoidable.
This situation, Aria continued, shows that online gambling has the potential to strengthen long-term structural poverty. Children from affected families are at risk of losing access to decent education because their parents spend their income on gambling. In the long term, the younger generation will be the main victims of this destructive habit, making online gambling a social time bomb.
Seeing this lurking danger, Aria urged the government to immediately take concrete and comprehensive steps. He considered that there needed to be a national policy that was not only repressive, but also preventive and educational. Taking action against online gambling sites is important, but even more important is building public awareness about the latent dangers of such activities.
The steps to eradicate online gambling have actually received serious attention from the government. One of the institutions actively involved is the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK). In an interview with RRI, the Coordinator of the PPATK Public Relations Group, Natsir Kongah, said that his institution continues to strengthen synergy with various related institutions, such as the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Bank Indonesia (BI), and the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Kemenkopolhukam).
Natsir said that PPATK is now using the follow the money method to track the flow of funds from online gambling. With this approach, investigators can follow the trail of money from criminals, including when the funds are disguised in the form of assets such as houses, vehicles, or even cryptocurrencies. This strategy allows for deeper tracing of the financial networks that support these illegal practices.
According to Natsir, transaction tracking is done through analysis of interconnected accounts and transfer patterns. With sophisticated analytical systems, PPATK is able to produce simulations that detect and block suspicious transactions. Included in the monitoring are digital assets, and crypto service providers are now required to report suspicious transactions in an effort to prevent money laundering from online gambling proceeds.
These steps reflect the government’s seriousness in building a clean financial ecosystem. However, these efforts need to be supported by the active participation of the community. Without collective awareness, all forms of supervision and legal action will be hampered by the creativity of perpetrators in finding legal loopholes.
Society must begin to break the chain of addiction to online gambling, starting from the smallest environment, namely the family. The role of parents, community leaders, religious leaders, and educators is very important in building an anti-gambling culture. Socialization about the dangers of online gambling must be carried out massively and continuously, with an approach that is in accordance with the socio-cultural characteristics of each region.
In addition, the government also needs to provide alternative entertainment and real economic welfare improvements to low-income communities. When people have positive activities and stable sources of income, interest in speculative activities such as online gambling will naturally decrease.
Eradicating online gambling is not solely the task of the authorities or the central government. This is a moral calling of all elements of the nation. If we allow the younger generation to drown in the illusion of instant wealth from their mobile phone screens, then we are digging a deep social chasm for the future of this country.
Being aware of and fighting online gambling is not just a legal effort, but a real form of love for family, society, and nation. Don’t let the future of children be robbed by the illusion of winning that ends in total defeat. Let’s work together to protect Indonesia from the dangers of online gambling, before it’s too late.
)* Researcher of People’s Economy – Nusantara Economic Institute
