Strengthening Regulations and Legal Solutions are the Main Keys to Eradicating Online Gambling

*) By: Andi Mahesa
The rise of online gambling practices has become a serious threat to society, especially for the younger generation. The rapid development of digital technology that facilitates access to online gambling platforms has led to very detrimental impacts, both economically, socially, and psychologically. This phenomenon not only damages the family economy, but also poses challenges in the realm of law and government policy. One of the main obstacles in eradicating online gambling is the existence of legal loopholes that allow this illegal practice to grow rapidly.
The Indonesian government has tried hard to overcome this problem with various policies and law enforcement efforts. However, although these steps have been quite significant, there are still major challenges to be faced, especially in terms of strengthening regulations and legal solutions. Existing legal loopholes, as well as limitations in law enforcement in cyberspace, are the main factors why online gambling continues to grow in Indonesia.
Criminal and Civil Law Expert from Trisakti University, Abdul Fickar Hadjar, S.H., M.H., said that online gambling regulations in Indonesia must be tightened. The government must focus on supervising financial transactions and digital technology involved in online gambling practices. Fickar added that without a systemic approach, online gambling practices will continue to grow, even potentially damaging the country’s system itself.
It is important to note that online gambling, with its increasingly sophisticated payment and transaction systems, is very difficult to control with conventional legal approaches alone. Therefore, the government and law enforcement officers need to develop more effective prevention strategies, including increasing cooperation with internet service providers (ISPs) to block illegal gambling sites more firmly. In addition, strengthening the regulatory system that is able to detect suspicious transactions through banking and financial institutions is also a crucial step to overcome this phenomenon.
It is undeniable that online gambling is increasingly sophisticated with various new methods to deceive the authorities. Therefore, strengthening regulations not only includes existing regulations, but also includes the application of technology to identify and overcome these illegal practices. For example, the use of technology such as AI-based monitoring and big data analytics that can help track suspicious transactions and strengthen law enforcement efforts in cyberspace.
According to the Executive Director of the ISS Foundation, Akbar Azmi Hardjasasmita said that eradicating online gambling requires a multidisciplinary approach involving various stakeholders. According to him, online gambling is not only a legal issue, but also a social problem that is troubling society. This phenomenon affects more than just the economic sector, but also creates serious psychological and moral losses, especially for the younger generation.
Efforts to eradicate online gambling, according to Akbar, are not only limited to law enforcement alone, but must also include prevention based on collective awareness. Building awareness of the negative impacts of online gambling is the key to creating greater social change. For this reason, research-based policies supported by a deep understanding of the social, economic, and psychological impacts of online gambling must be developed. Therefore, collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the community is needed to optimize the eradication of online gambling.
In addition, technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics can be utilized to detect suspicious transaction patterns and identify online gambling sites operating in Indonesia. This will be an important step in strengthening law enforcement and preventing illegal gambling transactions.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communication and Digital (Menkomdigi), Meutya Hafid said that President Prabowo Subianto has prepared new regulations that are expected to strengthen efforts to eradicate online gambling. The Government Regulation (PP) that is planned to be issued aims to provide a stronger legal basis in dealing with the problem that has become a serious concern for the public.
Meutya said that this regulation is very important to strengthen efforts to eradicate online gambling, which is increasingly disturbing the public, especially the younger generation. More assertive and targeted regulations are expected to be an effective solution to overcome the rampant illegal gambling sites operating in Indonesia. The government wants to provide a sense of security to the public by reducing exposure to dangerous gambling sites.
This new regulation is expected to not only tighten supervision of online gambling practices, but also provide a clear legal basis for processing and prosecuting perpetrators and parties involved in the practice managing illegal gambling sites. In addition, this regulation will strengthen collaboration between government agencies, internet service providers, and the financial sector in order to block online gambling transactions that are detrimental to the community.
As part of efforts to eradicate online gambling, it is very important for the community to provide support for the government policies that have been prepared. Public awareness of the dangers of online gambling and its impact on the economy and social life is needed so that this problem can be resolved more effectively.
The government has shown its commitment to reducing the negative impacts of online gambling by strengthening regulations and law enforcement. Now, it is time for the community to play a role in supporting this effort. The community is expected to be more aware of the threat of online gambling and not get caught up in this detrimental practice.
*) The author is a student living in Jakarta.