The Government’s Success in Eradicating Online Gambling: A Step Towards a Healthy Digital Era
*) By: Andi Mahesa
The government, through the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemkomdigi), has taken significant steps in eradicating online gambling, which has been rapidly spreading in the digital world. This decision is a reflection of the government’s commitment to protect society from the social and economic impacts of illegal gambling practices.
In just 100 days under the leadership of Minister Meutya Hafid, Kemkomdigi successfully removed over 880,000 pieces of online gambling content from various digital platforms. This achievement is remarkable and demonstrates the government’s seriousness in building a healthy and safe digital ecosystem for society.
Meutya Hafid explained that this effort was carried out to protect the public, especially vulnerable groups, from the dangers posed by online gambling. It is crucial for society to take a firm stance against online gambling, which damages our social and economic systems. In the first 100 days, Kemkomdigi succeeded in taking down 882,352 online gambling contents from various digital platforms. Most of these were from websites and blocked IP addresses, while the remainder were found on social media and other platforms.
This move not only restricts the activities of online gambling perpetrators but also prevents potentially greater losses in the future. In an increasingly connected world, online gambling often exploits digital gaps to make profits by targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly the younger generation. Therefore, the government needs to act quickly to address this issue before the impact spreads further.
Additionally, the effort to combat online gambling was supported by a shocking discovery from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), which revealed that the results from online gambling involving Indonesia reached a staggering Rp28 trillion. Unfortunately, much of the money from online gambling was funneled overseas, which is an illegal transaction that harms the country’s economy. In response, PPATK is working closely with various law enforcement agencies such as the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung), the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), and the National Police (Polri) to investigate these illegal fund flows and minimize further economic damage.
PPATK’s role in uncovering online gambling transactions worth trillions of rupiah highlights the severity of the threat faced by Indonesia in this digital age. Online gambling not only impacts individuals trapped in such games, but it also damages the country’s economic system by illegally transferring large sums of money abroad. Without decisive action and strong coordination between government agencies, this threat would continue to grow.
The government’s success in eradicating online gambling deserves recognition as a step towards a healthier digital era. The collaboration between Kemkomdigi, PPATK, law enforcement, and digital platforms is an effective model of cooperation to create a safer and more productive digital space. With the removal of a large number of online gambling contents, the space for perpetrators is increasingly limited, and society has broader access to positive information.
However, combating online gambling is not enough by simply removing illegal content. The government must also continue to raise awareness about the dangers of online gambling and strengthen monitoring of digital platforms. This is important so that society can be more prudent in using the internet, avoiding the traps of online gambling, and choosing educational and constructive content. Moreover, it is crucial for the government to keep engaging the private sector, especially technology companies, to enhance security systems and facilitate the reporting of illegal content.
This effort to eradicate online gambling also aligns with the government’s broader goal of creating a healthier digital Indonesia. Amid rapid technological advancements, the challenges related to internet abuse are becoming increasingly evident. Therefore, the state must intervene to protect the public, especially from content that can harm their personal and social lives. Online gambling, as one form of digital abuse, is not only about financial losses but also has the potential to destroy the mentality of the younger generation, which should be a crucial asset for the country’s development.
The government has proven that it is capable of taking swift and decisive action to address this issue. However, this success is not the end. Eradicating online gambling requires ongoing collaboration between government agencies, society, and the private sector. Addressing this issue must be done systematically and comprehensively so that the negative impacts of online gambling can be minimized, and society can enjoy a healthier and safer internet environment.
As part of the increasingly growing digital society, it is hoped that we will continue to support and appreciate the government’s efforts in eradicating online gambling. This is a tangible step towards a healthier digital society, free from negative influences. Together, let’s create a cyberspace that is safer, more productive, and full of benefits for future generations.
*) The author is a student living in Jakarta.
