Government Strengthens Cross-Agency Synergy to Combat Online Gambling to Protect the Younger Generation
Jakarta — Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the government continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to eradicating the rampant practice of online gambling (judol) within society. This effort is not only aimed at enforcing the law but also serves as a concrete step to protect the younger generation from the destructive impacts of illegal gambling on their morals, economy, and future.
Through a collaborative cross-agency approach, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) works together with the Financial Services Authority (OJK), national banks, law enforcement agencies, and several digital platforms. The goal is to close the operational space of online gambling networks both in cyberspace and within the national financial system. This integrated working model ensures that every element of law enforcement strengthens each other, making eradication efforts more effective and sustainable.
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, emphasized that combating online gambling cannot be done partially. She explained that Kemkomdigi not only blocks gambling websites but also tracks funds suspected to be used for gambling activities. “Every month, we submit thousands of bank account numbers to the OJK to be closed because they have been proven to be used in online gambling transactions. This is a collaborative effort across agencies because this issue cannot be handled alone,” Meutya said in Jakarta.
According to her, supervision is conducted comprehensively, ranging from content removal to shutting down social media accounts and websites promoting gambling. Meutya added that coordination with other institutions, such as OJK and law enforcement, continues to be strengthened so that the blocking process and legal enforcement can be faster and more massive. “Organized crimes like online gambling must be fought with organized efforts as well,” she asserted.
Cybersecurity expert from the University of Indonesia, Dr. Pratama Persadha, believes the government’s steps are appropriate and need to be continuously enhanced. He stressed that online gambling is not merely a legal issue but also a serious threat to the social resilience and morality of the younger generation. “Young people are very vulnerable because their internet access is high and their digital literacy is still immature. If not controlled, online gambling can damage productivity and trap them in debts and addiction,” he said.
Pratama also encourages the government to expand public education through digital literacy campaigns and community involvement so that eradication does not only stop at technical enforcement. “Preventive approaches are just as important as repressive ones. Education and family supervision must go hand in hand with blocking policies,” he added.
This integrated approach is part of the larger agenda of the Prabowo–Gibran administration to create a safe, productive, and ethical digital space. With increasingly solid inter-agency synergy, the government is optimistic about suppressing the growth of online gambling to its root and creating a healthier digital environment to protect the future of Indonesia’s younger generation.
