Bogor – Syaiful Garyadi, Assistant Deputy for Data Protection and Electronic Transactions Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, emphasized that online gambling is now a multidimensional threat that cannot be underestimated. This threat not only affects the legal aspect but also social stability, the economy, and even national digital security.
“Data from the Ministry of Communication and Digital shows that more than 7 million online gambling content sites have been blocked since 2017, but new sites continue to emerge,” Syaiful said while opening a coordination meeting themed “Collaborative Cyber Patrol Policy to Identify Illegal Online Gambling Content” in Bogor.
He added that the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) even recorded that more than 10,000 government websites had been defaced with online gambling content.
“This situation indicates that the problem lies not only in content blocking, but also in the need for comprehensive cybersecurity strengthening,” he stressed.
According to Syaiful, the government recognizes that online gambling is constantly finding new ways to infiltrate, so blocking it alone is insufficient. Therefore, a collaborative national strategy based on technology, literacy, and public participation is needed.
“A collaborative national strategy is needed, based on technology, literacy, and community participation,” he emphasized.
At the forum, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs affirmed its commitment as a cross-sector policy coordinator. Several strategic steps were decided, including collaborative community-based cyber patrols, inter-agency data integration, and strengthened regulations to address the increasingly complex nature of online gambling.
Recommended follow-up actions include the establishment of a collaborative cyber patrol forum with monthly evaluations, rapid monitoring of cyber incidents by the National Cyber and Cyber Security Agency (BSSN), and the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology.
In addition, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs will strengthen the digital literacy program, working with academics and IT practitioners to raise public awareness of the dangers of online gambling.
“Through these collaborative steps, the government hopes to suppress the spread of online gambling while strengthening national digital resilience,” Syaiful concluded in his remarks.
An integrated approach is key, given that online gambling is not only economically detrimental, but also corrupts the morals of the younger generation and undermines public trust in the digital space.
With more systematic measures, the government hopes the collaborative cyber patrol strategy can become an effective defense. Inter-agency synergy, support for cutting-edge technology, and public participation are considered key foundations for curbing the increasingly disturbing growth of online gambling.
