The Government is Firm in Eradicating Online Gambling, with Regional Legislators Supporting Blocking and Digital Education
By: Arman Panggabean )*
Online gambling (judi online) continues to be one of the most serious challenges to maintaining the security and ethics of Indonesia’s digital space. Although the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemenkomdigi) has demonstrated a strong commitment to combating the spread of online gambling content through massive blocking, the practice remains rampant, with various new methods constantly evolving.
The Director General of Digital Space Supervision at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology, Alexander Sabar, revealed in a meeting with the Online Gambling Working Committee (Panja) of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) that as of January 21, 2025, the government had blocked over 5.7 million pieces of online gambling content. This figure represents the accumulation of blocking efforts since 2017, encompassing websites, applications, and content distributed across various social media platforms and file-sharing services.
Of that number, platform X (formerly Twitter) was recorded as the social media platform with the most content discoveries, reaching 1,429,063. This was followed by Meta’s platforms—Facebook and Instagram—with a total of 735,503 pieces of content, and file sharing services with 168,699 pieces of content.
This data shows that despite consistent and comprehensive blocking efforts, online gambling operators are still able to disseminate their content widely. One of the main reasons for this is their ability to easily create new websites and exploit social media algorithms to conceal their illegal activities from public scrutiny.
In many cases, the servers of these online gambling sites are located outside of Indonesia’s legal jurisdiction. This presents an additional challenge, as blocking is ineffective without international cooperation and the active involvement of global digital service providers.
The rise of online gambling has not been limited to the Ministry of Communication and Digital; regional legislative bodies have also raised concerns about it. In Central Kalimantan, concerns about the impact of online gambling advertising on children and adolescents have become a major concern for members of the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD).
Purdiono, a member of the Central Kalimantan Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD), warned that children are the most vulnerable group to the influence of gambling content on social media. He stated that without parental supervision and proper education, children could be exposed to and even unknowingly fall into gambling practices. He also emphasized the importance of concrete government action to limit the spread of online gambling-related advertisements and content.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Central Kalimantan Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), Drs. Arton S. Dohong, believes that the issue of online gambling has gone beyond the legal realm. In his view, it has become a direct threat to the future of the younger generation, especially since online gamblers primarily target them. Arton urged the public not to be easily tempted by promises of profit from advertisements spread across various digital platforms.
He also highlighted the potential side effects of online gambling, including personal debt problems, family conflict, and the potential for increased crime due to economic pressures. In this context, Arton emphasized the importance of active participation by local governments and law enforcement in strengthening oversight and cutting off access to illegal gambling sites.
He also emphasized that outreach and education for the public, especially young people, must be carried out continuously. He believes that early education is a crucial foundation for building understanding about the dangers of online gambling. He even stated that the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) is ready to support all policies aimed at protecting the public from digital crime, especially those targeting the younger generation.
Furthermore, research data from Populix, titled “Understanding the Impact of Online Gambling Ad Exposure,” shows that the most popular type of online gambling in Indonesia is online slots, known as a game of chance. Around 80% of respondents exposed to online gambling ads reported being familiar with this game. Furthermore, dominoes (59%), online poker (48%), casinos (47%), and soccer betting (44%) were also frequently accessed.
Social media is the primary channel for distributing these advertisements. Most respondents reported seeing online gambling ads on Instagram (48%), YouTube (45%), and Facebook (45%). Even TikTok, widely used by teenagers, accounted for 27% of online gambling ads. Perpetrators typically disguise the ads as sponsored content, disguised posts, and referral links that direct users to specific sites.
Given the highly dynamic nature of the digital world, combating online gambling cannot rely solely on blocking technology. A holistic strategy is needed, involving public education, strengthening national regulations, and close collaboration across countries and digital platforms. Platform providers like Meta, Google, TikTok, and others play a vital role in keeping the digital space safe and free from illegal gambling content.
The Indonesian government has demonstrated strong commitment and consistency in eradicating online gambling. However, this fight requires support from all elements of society, from legislative bodies and law enforcement officials to parents and educators. Only through comprehensive collaboration can the war against online gambling be won, and the younger generation can grow up in a healthy digital space free from the negative influences of gambling.
)* Social Policy Observer – Madani Institute Social Institution
