By: Tasya Nanda Syafitri
The government’s efforts to eradicate the practice of Online Gambling show a new, more concrete chapter. The government is currently finalizing a special Government Regulation (PP) regarding the eradication of Online Gambling as a follow-up to the state’s seriousness in protecting the people from the negative impacts of digital gambling. This step is a real form of the government’s awareness that the spread of Online Gambling has reached a point that endangers the social and economic integrity of society, especially the younger generation.
Online Gambling is no longer just a digital fringe phenomenon. It has become a massive threat that targets all levels of society, from urban to remote villages, from students to workers. With a game package that looks fun but ensnares, many individuals fall into a cycle of addiction and end up experiencing material losses, family breakdown, and even criminal acts. In this context, the state must not remain silent. The state must be present to protect its citizens, not only through appeals or technical blocks, but also through strong and effective legal instruments.
Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas, has emphasized that the PP on eradicating Online Gambling has gone through the harmonization stage and will soon be completed. This step shows that the government is not just making the issue of Online Gambling a discourse, but has made it a national priority. With the involvement of cross-ministerial in this harmonization process, it is hoped that the resulting regulation will have legitimacy and comprehensive reach, so that it can accommodate the increasingly complex dynamics of digital crime.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, also said that President Prabowo Subianto has directed the issuance of the PP as a form of firmer action in combating Online Gambling. This indicates that this policy is a strategic initiative from the national leadership who understands that solving the problem of Online Gambling cannot only rely on a partial approach. Comprehensive steps are needed that combine prevention, enforcement, education, and strengthening of legal regulations.
With the completion of this PP, it is hoped that the government will have a solid legal basis to take action against all forms of Online Gambling operations, including application developers, platform providers, influencers who promote, and parties who facilitate financial transactions related to this illegal practice. Furthermore, this PP must regulate strict sanctions for perpetrators and encourage cross-sector synergy, starting from banking, internet service providers, to law enforcement so that handling is no longer reactive, but proactive and measurable.
Not only that, the presence of this PP is also an important momentum to increase digital literacy in society. Strong regulations without public awareness will be in vain. Therefore, in addition to regulating legal aspects, this PP is also expected to contain an educational strategy that encourages the public to stay away from Online Gambling practices and understand the risks. This is important so that eradication does not stop at the technical and legal realms, but also targets the root of the problem, namely the low public understanding of the impact of digital gambling.
The existence of regulations in the form of PP will provide additional authority for officers to take action against perpetrators and providers of Online Gambling with a faster and clearer legal mechanism. This is certainly very crucial, considering that online gambling practices often operate across countries, use foreign servers, and take advantage of national legal loopholes. With a strong legal umbrella, law enforcement officers will not hesitate to act because they have a clear and accountable legal basis.
This government step will also have a positive impact on the social and economic stability of the community. In many cases, online gambling not only erodes the personal finances of the perpetrators, but also causes a domino effect in the form of domestic conflict, increased crime, and even psychological disorders. Therefore, the presence of this PP not only protects individuals, but also becomes a form of state investment in maintaining social resilience.
Furthermore, the harmonization carried out by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights shows the importance of being careful in designing quality regulations. This process ensures that each article in the PP does not conflict with higher regulations and is able to accommodate existing dynamics. This shows the government’s seriousness in creating policies that are not only responsive, but also adaptive and visionary.
In the future, the success of the implementation of this PP will be greatly determined by the commitment of all elements of the nation, including law enforcement, educational institutions, religious figures, and civil society. All parties must play an active role inthe beginning of this policy, starting from socialization, reporting violations, to monitoring implementation in the field. In this case, collaboration between the state and the people is the main key to eradicating Online Gambling practices from Indonesia’s digital space.
Ultimately, the completion of the PP on the eradication of Online Gambling is real proof that the state is present and on the side of the safety of the people. In a digital era full of challenges and virtual traps, this regulation is a much-needed shield of protection. The government has shown firm and measured steps. Now is the time for the public to take part so that Indonesia is free from the clutches of Online Gambling and can move towards a healthy, fair, and dignified digital civilization.
*The author is an Anti-Online Gambling Activist
