By: Bara Winatha*)
Online gambling is increasingly becoming a serious threat to social, economic, legal, and digital security in Indonesia. While rapid technological development offers numerous benefits, it also presents significant risks when certain parties exploit the digital space to spread online gambling practices. This activity is not only financially detrimental but also has a domino effect on other crimes such as fraud, robbery, and even murder. The government continues to strengthen its efforts to eradicate online gambling through a collaborative, cross-sectoral strategy.
Syaiful Garyadi, Assistant Deputy for Data Protection and Electronic Transactions Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, stated that online gambling poses a multidimensional threat. He believes the dangers it poses extend beyond legal aspects to social stability and the economy, as well as national digital security. He emphasized that relevant ministries have been blocking online gambling sites for several years, with millions of pieces of content having been removed.
The government is currently promoting the establishment of a collaborative cyber patrol forum involving ministries, cybersecurity agencies, academics, and the IT community. This forum serves as a coordination space for identifying, monitoring, and following up on websites and applications used for online gambling. Furthermore, the national strategy is aimed at strengthening more adaptive regulations, integrating data between agencies, and increasing digital literacy within the community. Without a strong public understanding of the dangers of online gambling, eradication efforts will be slow. Therefore, digital awareness campaigns are being continuously strengthened, involving universities and civil society organizations.
From a religious and social perspective, the East Aceh Ulema Consultative Assembly (MPU) also plays a crucial role. The chairman of the East Aceh MPU, M. Thahir, stated that online gambling and other forms of gambling are extremely dangerous social ills. He believes that the impact of online gambling can damage the foundations of social life by giving rise to crime. Online gambling is not merely illegal entertainment, but a gateway to serious crimes that can be life-threatening.
M Thahir menjelaskan bahwa pihaknya telah merancang tiga langkah utama dalam mencegah judi daring. Pertama, meminta kafe dan warung kopi untuk menonaktifkan layanan internet pada tengah malam hingga dini hari, karena mayoritas pelaku judi daring aktif bermain pada waktu tersebut. Kedua, meminta instansi terkait memberikan sanksi tegas bagi aparatur sipil negara yang terbukti terlibat, berupa pencopotan jabatan atau non-job sebagai efek jera agar ASN menjaga integritas. Ketiga, melaksanakan safari Jumat guna berdakwah dan mengingatkan masyarakat tentang bahaya judi daring. Ia menilai bahwa pendekatan religius ini efektif menyentuh hati masyarakat agar tidak tergoda pada perilaku destruktif tersebut.
Selain dari sisi regulasi dan moral, peringatan keras juga datang dari pendamping Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) di Kabupaten Aceh Singkil. Pendamping PKH Aceh Singkil, Summa Musi, mengatakan bahwa keterlibatan keluarga penerima manfaat dalam aktivitas judi daring berpotensi menyebabkan pencabutan bantuan sosial. Ia menilai bahwa judi daring mengkhianati tujuan utama program bantuan pemerintah, yaitu membantu masyarakat miskin memenuhi kebutuhan dasar. Jika dana bantuan justru digunakan untuk berjudi, maka yang paling dirugikan adalah keluarga itu sendiri, khususnya anak-anak yang seharusnya terbantu dengan kehadiran bantuan tersebut.
Seluruh transaksi digital kini terhubung dengan Nomor Induk Kependudukan. Artinya, setiap aktivitas judi daring bisa terlacak dan menjadi bukti untuk mencabut status kepesertaan dalam program bantuan. Ia menekankan bahwa pencabutan bukan tanpa dasar, melainkan kewajiban untuk menjaga akuntabilitas program sosial. Menurutnya, pendamping PKH sudah melakukan pendekatan persuasif kepada keluarga penerima manfaat yang terindikasi terlibat. Namun, apabila tidak ada perubahan, maka sanksi administratif hingga pencabutan hak akan diterapkan. Masyarakat sebaiknya menggunakan bantuan untuk kebutuhan pokok, pendidikan, maupun modal usaha, bukan untuk terjerumus dalam praktik ilegal seperti judi daring ini.
Langkah-langkah yang disampaikan tersebut menggambarkan bahwa judi daring memang tidak bisa dilihat sebagai masalah sepele. Pemerintah pusat menyoroti dimensi hukum, digital, dan sosial, kemudian tokoh agama menegaskan aspek moral dan dampak kriminal, sedangkan pendamping sosial menekankan risiko langsung terhadap kesejahteraan keluarga miskin. Kombinasi ketiganya membentuk gambaran utuh bahwa judi daring adalah ancaman multidimensi yang harus diatasi dengan cara menyeluruh.
Efforts to eradicate online gambling require more than just blocking, but also include digital literacy, strengthening public morals, and implementing strict social sanctions. The government continues to collaborate with religious leaders, educators, the IT community, and law enforcement officials to ensure a more targeted eradication strategy. Online gambling has grown rapidly, utilizing encryption technology, digital wallets, and even hidden advertising on social media. Therefore, the approach taken must be adaptive to technological dynamics.
By positioning online gambling as a shared threat, collaboration between the government, the community, and religious leaders is expected to build a bulwark of national resilience. If these comprehensive measures are consistently implemented, the spread of online gambling can be suppressed. Ultimately, eradicating online gambling is not just a legal measure, but also a form of protection for families, the younger generation, and the future of the nation.
*)The author is a social and community observer.
