Synergy between Community and Government is the Key to Success in Eradicating Online Gambling
By: Adi Kurniaji)*
Online gambling or online gambling is a phenomenon that is increasingly disturbing Indonesian society. Although its negative impacts have been widely voiced, this practice continues to grow along with the ease of access to digital technology. In facing this challenge, synergy between all elements of society is the main key so that efforts to eradicate online gambling can run effectively and sustainably.
Students, as one of the intellectual elements and successors of the nation, have a strategic role in providing awareness and education regarding the dangers of online gambling. Recently, the academic community of Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (UNISA) Yogyakarta held a public oration with a strong and inspiring theme, _”Stop Clicking, Start Living:_ Every Click Can Take Your Life.” This action shows deep concern about the rampant online gambling that threatens the future of the younger generation, especially students themselves.
Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences UNISA Ali Imron, emphasized the importance of the government’s role in tightening supervision and educating the public, especially the younger generation, so that they are not easily trapped in the trap of online gambling.
The ease of technology is often a double-edged sword. While technology opens up wide access to information and communication, at the same time it facilitates the spread of online gambling practices that can trap many people without realizing it.
This condition is increasingly worrying when many students are involved in online gambling activities, which have the potential to destroy their academic process and future. Therefore, policies are needed that are not only based on repressive actions, but also education and a _soft rule_ approach that educates students to be more careful in using technology.
From the perspective of the wider community, an active role in rejecting and not supporting online gambling practices is also very important. It is not enough to rely on law enforcement officers and government regulations, the community must be at the forefront of monitoring and reporting online gambling activities.
This will create effective social pressure so that online gamblers find it difficult to operate. The message brought by UNISA students, to stop clicking and start living healthily, must become a collective awareness that is applied by all levels of society.
The government itself has shown a serious commitment to eradicating online gambling. The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemenkomdigi) through the Director of Informatics Application Control of Kemenkomdigi, Teguh Arifiyadi, has pocketed more than 400 thousand accounts and tens of thousands of telephone numbers that are suspected of being related to online gambling activities.
The blacklist system developed by the Ministry of Communication and Digital has even been connected to more than 30 payment system providers, and efforts are being made to integrate all financial institutions. That way, transactions related to online gambling can be immediately detected and prevented.
An automatic warning system has also been implemented, where users will receive a notification if the account number or cellphone number for the transfer is blacklisted. This step is expected to suppress the spread of online gambling by breaking the financial chain of the perpetrators. In addition, the government plans to expand the blacklist data by including other identities such as population registration numbers (NIK), email addresses, and crypto wallets, thereby further narrowing the scope for online gambling perpetrators.
However, the government’s efforts will not be optimal without the support and active involvement of the community. Education and outreach about the dangers of online gambling must continue to be intensified by various parties, ranging from educational institutions, community groups, to the mass media. The public needs to be equipped with an understanding that online gambling is not only about losing money, but also has the potential to cause mental, social, and criminal damage.
The negative impacts of online gambling are very real and affect various aspects of life. Not only a financial problem, online gambling addiction can cause depression, emotional disorders, and loss of self-control. Several cases show how online gambling is the root of the problem of broken families and decreased productivity, especially among the younger generation. This condition will worsen social conditions if not handled properly immediately.
Cross-sector collaboration is the most effective way out to overcome this problem. The government must work with educational institutions to include digital literacy materials and the dangers of online gambling in the curriculum. Civil society organizations can hold campaigns and mentoring for victims of online gambling addiction. The media also plays an important role in conveying correct information and raising public awareness.
No less important, the role of the family as the main fortress of psychological resilience needs to be strengthened. Parents must be more vigilant and accompany their children in using digital technology. An open communication approach and education on healthy living values are one of the preventive steps so that children and adolescents do not fall into online gambling.
In a broader context, this synergy reflects a shared responsibility to safeguard the future of the nation. Online gambling is not only a problem for certain individuals or groups, but a threat that must be faced together so that the next generation of Indonesia can grow up healthy, productive, and contribute positively to the country.
With strong determination and real collaboration, the great hope of eradicating online gambling is not just a dream. Student action, community support, and progressive government steps are important capital to create a safe digital environment free from the trap of online gambling.
Let’s together stop every click that can take away the future, and start a more meaningful and healthy life for a better Indonesia.
)* Contributor to the Advanced Young Indonesian Network (JMIM)
