The Government is Firmly Combating Online Gambling, and Hundreds of Thousands of Social Assistance Recipients are Being Evaluated
Jakarta – The government continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to taking firm action against online gambling activities that undermine the very fabric of society. One concrete step taken by the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) is currently evaluating 603,999 social assistance (bansos) recipients suspected of involvement in online gambling practices.
“Of the 603,999 individuals suspected of being involved in online gambling, 228,048 Beneficiary Families (KPM) are no longer receiving social assistance in the second quarter. We are still evaluating the remainder,” said Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, in a press release.
The findings stemmed from a collaboration between the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), which compared data on 32 million social assistance recipients with suspicious transaction activity. The PPATK then identified 656,543 beneficiaries potentially involved in online gambling. After verification through the National Integrated Extreme Welfare Data System (DTSEN), the number narrowed to 603,999 beneficiaries.
“We have flagged the data in the DTSEN system as indicating online gambling,” explained Gus Ipul. He noted that the transaction values from the KPMs varied, with the highest amount reaching over Rp 3 billion and the lowest only Rp 1,000. The average transaction value was Rp 2 million.
Gus Ipul emphasized that the government will not allow social assistance funds to be misused. “Social assistance must be distributed to the right targets and not used for things outside its intended purpose,” he said. He lamented that some recipients still use the aid for gambling. “It’s truly unfortunate. There are still many people who truly need this assistance,” he continued.
He also confirmed that this evaluation will not reduce the overall social assistance quota. “In fact, the President has increased the social assistance quota for June and July 2025. Beneficiary families who normally receive Rp 600,000 will receive an additional Rp 200,000, bringing the total to Rp 1 million in the second quarter,” he explained.
Gus Ipul added that the revoked social assistance will be transferred to eligible individuals in deciles 1 to 4 in the DTSEN system. “We will submit the National Identification Numbers (NIK) of all individuals who have received or are currently receiving social assistance to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), with the President’s permission, of course. This is in accordance with Presidential Instruction Number 4 of 2025,” he emphasized.
For those who feel disadvantaged by this evaluation, the Ministry of Social Affairs has opened a complaints process. “Please report any objections, providing evidence and complete data. We will verify and validate the information with the Central Statistics Agency (BPS),” concluded Gus Ipul.
This decisive action demonstrates that the government is not only targeting online gambling perpetrators but is also taking action against the misuse of state funds by social assistance recipients.
