By: Naura Fena ) *
The government’s commitment to realizing an Indonesia free from online gambling continues to be demonstrated through various concrete steps. In this effort, the government is not only focused on blocking sites containing online gambling , but also working with various institutions to break the operational chain to the root.
This commitment was emphasized in a number of cross-ministerial coordinations involving the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), the Special Investigation and Development Control Agency (BBPIK), and other law enforcement agencies.
One of the significant steps that has been taken is the disconnection of internet lines connecting online gambling platforms abroad, such as the Philippines and Cambodia. In addition, thousands of online gambling sites have been blocked by the government. Until early 2025, a total of 711,518 online gambling contents were successfully prosecuted by the Ministry of Communication and Digital.
The majority of online gambling content is in the form of websites and IP addresses, followed by content on social media platforms such as Meta, Google/YouTube, Telegram, and TikTok. Active cyber patrols are carried out to ensure that the digital space remains clean from online gambling activities that are detrimental to society.
Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in eradicating online gambling . The ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with various institutions to strengthen eradication efforts.
The government is committed to being transparent and working efficiently to create optimal results. This coordination includes not only monitoring digital activities, but also improving information technology infrastructure in various ministries and institutions. This step aims to ensure that governance mechanisms run faster and more efficiently.
Head of BBPIK, Aries Marsudiyanto, also emphasized that the eradication of online gambling must be carried out to the roots without discrimination. He added that coordination between institutions and the application of appropriate technology are key to overcoming this problem comprehensively.
Aries hopes that this effort can not only eradicate online gambling effectively, but also provide long-term effects that are beneficial to digital security and the social integrity of society.
In addition to blocking content, the government is also taking firm action against online gambling operators , including those operating through job portals. The Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) has appealed to job portal managers to increase supervision of potentially misleading advertisements.
Many online gambling operators use this platform to recruit workers with unreasonable promises. The Ministry of Manpower also appeals to the public to be more careful and meticulous in responding to suspicious job offers.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower, Anwar Sanusi, stated that it is important for job vacancy portal managers to increase awareness and mitigate the risks of job vacancy advertisements that have the potential to be fraudulent.
Anwar added that online gambling operators often use digital platforms to recruit workers with big promises, but it turns out to be related to illegal activities. The Ministry of Manpower is working with the police to take firm action against fraudsters who use this opportunity to harm the community.
In some cases, online gamblers use fraudulent methods to attract victims. They often ask for personal data, such as phone numbers or official identification, before offering jobs with large rewards.
The Ministry of Manpower is working with the police to take firm action against the perpetrators of this fraud. This step is expected to protect the public from losses while also narrowing the room for online gambling operators to move .
In addition, the government also utilizes a technological approach to support the eradication of online gambling . This effort includes updating hardware and software in various state institutions to increase efficiency and ensure transparency in data management. More sophisticated technology allows cyber patrols to be carried out more effectively, so that illegal activities in cyberspace can be detected and handled more quickly.
The government’s commitment to creating an Indonesia free from online gambling is not only aimed at maintaining public morals, but also protecting economic stability and national security. Online gambling not only causes financial losses for individuals, but also opens up loopholes for other crimes, such as money laundering and fraud. Therefore, eradicating online gambling is an important part of the national development agenda.
The public is also invited to play an active role in supporting this effort. The government has provided various channels to report suspicious content, including special pages, WhatsApp numbers, and chatbots. With active public participation, the digital space is expected to become a safer and more productive place.
In the long term, the government also plans to increase digital literacy in society as a preventive measure. Educational campaigns about the dangers of online gambling continue to be encouraged, especially among the younger generation. Parents are also urged to be more active in supervising their children’s activities in cyberspace. This collective awareness is expected to build a healthy digital culture that is free from the threat of online gambling .
Full support from various parties shows that the government is not working alone in eradicating online gambling . The government remains committed to overcoming every challenge that arises, including technological developments that online gambling operators continue to use to carry out their actions.
With the various steps that have been and will continue to be taken, the government shows its seriousness in realizing an Indonesia free from online gambling . This commitment reflects the state’s responsibility to protect its citizens from damaging threats, while creating a safer and more productive digital space for all.
)* The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Gold Forum
