The Government Strengthens its Commitment to Eradicating Online Gambling Through Collaborative Strategies
By: Aulia Sofyan Harahap
The phenomenon of online gambling is increasingly disturbing society. Not only does it harm individuals who become involved, but this practice also threatens social and economic resilience, and even national digital security. In recent times, various cases have come to public attention, ranging from the hacking of state institutions’ social media accounts infiltrated by online gambling promotions to the involvement of social assistance recipients who ultimately lost their rights due to misusing funds for gambling. This situation emphasizes that online gambling is not simply a violation of the law, but a multidimensional problem that requires serious government intervention.
The government also recognizes that eradicating online gambling cannot be done half-heartedly. The Head of the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) emphasized that his office continues to track the flow of funds related to online gambling 24/7, coordinating with the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) and law enforcement officials. He stated that this cross-agency coordination is crucial so that any suspicious transactions can be quickly identified as related to online gambling. This step demonstrates that the financial aspect is crucial in disrupting the money circulation that supports this illegal industry.
These efforts to monitor the flow of funds become even more relevant when considering government data. Komdigi recorded that more than 7 million pieces of online gambling content have been blocked since 2017, but new sites continue to emerge. The National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) even recorded that more than 10,000 government websites were hacked and infiltrated with online gambling content. This fact demonstrates that blocking alone is insufficient, as online gambling operators continue to adapt to new technologies. The government is therefore required to develop a more comprehensive and adaptive strategy.
The Assistant Deputy at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs emphasized that online gambling has now become a multidimensional threat. According to him, the impacts include not only financial losses but also moral damage to the younger generation and a decline in public trust in the digital space. Therefore, he believes that the eradication approach cannot rely solely on law enforcement but must be strengthened by a national strategy based on cross-sector collaboration, the use of advanced technology, and active public participation.
These collaborative efforts are now beginning to be realized through various policies. At a coordination forum in Bogor, the government decided on several strategic measures, ranging from community-based collaborative cyber patrols, inter-agency data integration, and strengthening regulations that are more adaptive to online gambling. The National Cyber and Cyber Security Agency (BSSN) is being encouraged to accelerate its cyber incident monitoring system, while Komdigi, along with academics and IT practitioners, is strengthening digital literacy programs to raise public awareness of the dangers of online gambling. The government is also preparing to utilize artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology to detect illegal content patterns more quickly and accurately.
From a legal perspective, the government has emphasized that there will be no compromise with perpetrators or any other parties involved, including if abuse of authority is discovered within state institutions. Several figures have highlighted cases within ministries that are supposed to handle blocking online gambling sites, but are instead suspected of being gateways for these illegal practices. This harsh criticism further reinforces the argument that eradicating online gambling is not just about blocking sites, but also about improving internal government governance to eliminate loopholes that can be exploited by unscrupulous individuals.
Furthermore, the government has demonstrated firmness in its social assistance policy. Social assistance recipients found to have used funds for gambling will be immediately removed from the recipient list. This measure is not merely a form of punishment, but also an effort to emphasize that state funds must be used for their intended purpose, namely to support the community’s basic needs, not for destructive practices. With this policy, the government aims to provide a deterrent effect while raising public awareness that every rupiah sourced from the state budget carries a significant moral responsibility.
However, the success of eradicating online gambling cannot be solely the responsibility of the government. The public plays a crucial role as the frontline in combating the spread of online gambling content and invitations. Digital literacy is key to empowering the younger generation to resist increasingly sophisticated methods. The government has partnered with academics, practitioners, and local communities to strengthen this literacy program. The hope is that collective awareness will grow, making the digital space less susceptible to online gambling promotions.
Given the complexity of the problem, the government is striving for an integrated approach. Synergy between agencies, the use of cutting-edge technology, firm law enforcement, and public participation are the key foundations of this strategy. This approach not only aims to suppress the spread of online gambling but also to strengthen national digital resilience. Without systematic action, Indonesia risks facing increasing socio-economic losses and a loss of public trust in state institutions in protecting the digital space.
Ultimately, the government’s commitment to eradicating online gambling is commendable. The challenges are indeed significant, especially as this practice continues to evolve with technological advancements. However, with a more structured strategy and full public support, the opportunity to curb the spread of online gambling remains open. Eradicating online gambling is not only about maintaining digital security, but also about protecting the nation’s future generations from threats that damage morals and rob them of their future.
*) Public Policy Observer
