Government Tightens Oversight of Social Assistance to Curb Misuse by Online Gambling Perpetrators
By: Rendy Putra Wijaya
The government continues to intensify its efforts to eradicate online gambling practices, which have recently become increasingly prevalent and troubling for the public. One of the strengthened measures is enhancing the oversight of social assistance (bansos) distribution, as several cases have revealed the misuse of state aid to fund illegal gambling activities. Amid these efforts, the government is also urging the public to remain vigilant against digital-based online gambling networks, including a group known as the Kingdom Group, which actively spreads through social media. This network often exploits psychological vulnerabilities by luring individuals with promises of large winnings, even though their activities undermine household financial stability and open the door to fraud.
The government’s call for stronger bansos supervision became more pronounced after Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, or Gus Ipul, revealed that hundreds of thousands of aid recipients were involved in online gambling. He stated that coordination results with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) showed transactional footprints indicating such activities. According to the Minister, hundreds of thousands of bansos beneficiaries were found engaging in online gambling, with some even claiming to be state-owned enterprise employees, civil servants, and members of the TNI/Police. He said these findings reveal a gradual uncovering of bansos misuse, demonstrating the need for a stricter monitoring system.
The Minister also referred to a report from the National Economic Council (DEN), which highlighted that some bansos recipients did not meet eligibility criteria. He believes this inaccuracy underscores the urgency of reorganizing the beneficiary database to ensure that social assistance truly reaches vulnerable groups in need.
The government’s commitment to enforcing regulations is evident through the Ministry of Social Affairs’ decision to block hundreds of bansos recipients’ bank accounts in several regions, including the Riau Islands (Kepri). This action was taken after the Ministry’s detection system found strong indications that these accounts were being used for online gambling transactions. The Head of Social Welfare Handling at the Kepri Social Service Office, Irwanto, explained that this firm measure resulted from coordinated efforts between provincial and district/city social services. He stated that the account blocking was carried out directly by the Ministry due to strong suspicions of misuse for illegal activities that ultimately harm the beneficiaries.
Irwanto further explained that bansos recipients proven to have engaged in online gambling transactions automatically lose their right to receive assistance in the next period. He stated that removing their beneficiary status is a form of safeguarding public funds from misuse. According to him, the government carries a moral responsibility to ensure that social assistance is used appropriately—to support the basic needs of vulnerable populations.
Despite the strict measures, the government still provides room for beneficiaries who feel wrongfully flagged by the system. Irwanto noted that those who believe they have not engaged in online gambling may file an objection through their district or city Social Service Office. This mechanism ensures that no errors occur in determining beneficiary status, and that fairness is upheld.
In addition to account blocking, local governments in Kepri are also strengthening socialization efforts toward aid recipients. Irwanto stated that educational outreach is conducted to ensure beneficiaries understand that using social assistance for illegal activities, including online gambling, will result in serious consequences. He added that many cases of bansos recipients engaging in online gambling stem from addiction rather than need, highlighting the importance of preventive and rehabilitative approaches.
Data from the Kepri Social Service Office shows that the number of families receiving the Family Hope Program (PKH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) reaches tens of thousands. This illustrates the scale of the social protection program that must be safeguarded. The government believes that the broader the coverage of assistance, the greater the potential for misuse if not supported by comprehensive oversight systems.
Amid these efforts, the government reiterates the importance of vigilance against evolving online gambling schemes, including those affiliated with networks like the Kingdom Group. This group is reportedly active in promoting illegal sites through social media, using persuasive communication tactics that target economically strained bansos recipients. If left unchecked, this phenomenon not only damages the financial conditions of vulnerable families but also undermines the effectiveness of social protection policies that the state has carefully implemented.
Social assistance programs are intended as a tangible expression of the state’s care for citizens who require economic support. Such assistance should serve as a foundation for improving the quality of life for recipient families—not be exploited for gambling or other illegal activities. For this reason, the government continues to stress the importance of using the assistance wisely to ensure the program’s objectives are achieved.
In closing, the government reminds the public to heighten their awareness of the presence of illegal websites and networks like the Kingdom Group, which target vulnerable communities using various digital tactics. Citizens are urged to be cautious in using social assistance funds, avoid all forms of online gambling, and remain critical of promotions promising instant profits. By steering clear of such practices, Indonesian families not only protect their household finances but also help preserve the integrity of the social assistance program—one of the nation’s key social protection instruments. Social assistance is not for gambling, but for strengthening livelihoods—and this commitment must be upheld collectively.
Public Policy Analyst – Bentang Nusantara Institute for Public Policy Studies
