By: Fikri Hidayat Ramadhan
The phenomenon of online gambling has rapidly grown in recent years, threatening various aspects of societal life, from the economy to social well-being. The circulation of money within Indonesia’s online gambling industry has reached astronomical figures, with an increasing number of players, including children. This situation signals that the fight against online gambling is not enough through mere site blocking or law enforcement alone. A more effective long-term solution is to enhance digital literacy in society, enabling people to recognize and avoid the dangers lurking in the digital world.
Vice Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, highlighted the importance of collaboration among various parties to improve public understanding of healthy digital technology use. He emphasized that education is the key to preventing individuals from falling into the traps of online gambling and illegal online loans. Without a solid understanding, society will be increasingly vulnerable to the temptation of online gambling, which promises instant profits but ends up leading to debt traps and other social problems.
Data shows that by 2025, the number of online gambling app users is expected to reach 8.8 million, with about 80,000 of them being children. Even more concerning, about 40% of players are from the productive age range of 30 to 50 years old. This shows that online gambling does not only affect certain groups but has spread widely across various layers of society. The money circulating, which reached IDR 500 trillion in 2024, serves as a serious alarm for both the government and society to remain vigilant against this threat.
The government has taken various steps to combat online gambling, including blocking thousands of sites and accounts linked to illegal activities. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) reported freezing 5,000 accounts belonging to 3.5 million individuals involved in online gambling. Furthermore, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) has closed more than 3,500 illegal online loan services, which often complement online gambling practices.
However, as Edhie Baskoro pointed out, these enforcement actions are not enough if they are not accompanied by an increase in digital education. Society needs to understand how online gambling works, how they can get trapped, and the negative impacts it can have. Without this understanding, there will always be gaps for online gambling perpetrators to find new ways to trap victims.
Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, also emphasized that children are the most vulnerable group to the influence of online gambling. According to data from the Online Gambling Task Force, around 440,000 children aged 10 to 20 have been exposed to online gambling. In response to this, the government is drafting regulations that limit digital account ownership for children as a preventive measure.
These regulations aim to provide protection, not restrict children’s access to technology. The government acknowledges that the digital world has many benefits if used wisely, so the effort is to direct internet use toward more positive outcomes. Furthermore, Meutya invited teachers and parents to play an active role in providing digital literacy education to children. Schools should not only be places for academic learning but also serve as a platform to help children understand how to become smart and responsible digital citizens.
Good digital literacy enables society to be more aware of the various tactics used in online gambling. For example, many online gambling sites use mirroring techniques, which involve hosting their sites on domains belonging to universities or government institutions to make them harder to detect. With proper understanding, internet users can more easily recognize signs of suspicious sites and avoid the traps set by digital criminals.
Moreover, digital literacy can help society understand how digital platforms work and how their personal data can be misused by irresponsible parties. This understanding can help individuals become more cautious when sharing personal information and more selective in accessing and downloading certain applications.
Support from various parties, including the private sector and educational institutions, is also necessary to improve digital literacy. Technology companies can contribute by providing better security features and conducting educational campaigns about healthy internet use. Educational institutions can incorporate digital literacy into their curriculum so that children understand the risks of the digital world from an early age.
In the long term, improving digital literacy can become the main defense in preventing the spread of online gambling in Indonesia. A society that has a solid understanding of the dangers of online gambling will not be easily tempted by the promises of instant profits. Thus, prevention efforts will not only be reactive but also proactive in creating a safer and healthier digital environment for all of society.
The government has taken the right steps by strengthening regulations and law enforcement, but the success of eradicating online gambling still depends on how well society understands and applies digital literacy in daily life. Therefore, educational efforts must continue to be strengthened so that future generations can grow with better digital awareness and will not easily fall into the destructive practice of online gambling, which jeopardizes their future.
*) Social Policy Observer – Madani Institute Social Organization
