Online gambling is a form of cyber crime that threatens the social and economic stability of society. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) noted that the turnover of money from online gambling throughout 2023 has reached IDR 237 trillion, meaning almost 10 percent of the 2024 APBN which is IDR 3,325.1 trillion. The Indonesian government has made various efforts to overcome this online gambling problem, but it is not easy to do. Online gambling is often difficult to trace due to its anonymous and cross-border nature.
Online gambling is not a new phenomenon in Indonesia. Technological developments, especially the internet, have provided a platform for gamblers to carry out their gambling activities more easily without fear of being directly detected. Therefore, an effective strategy and synergy from various parties is needed to eradicate online gambling in Indonesia.
It is hoped that online gambling players will be aware of the dangers and negative impacts caused by the practice of online gambling, starting from loss of property, family breakdown, to increasing crime and violence that occurs in society.
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The government through the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kemenkominfo) has taken various steps, one of which is blocking online gambling sites. However, this blocking is considered not effective enough because new online gambling sites will emerge with better capabilities.
Cyber Security Expert, Agus Surono said it was important to increase domestic technological capabilities to detect and cut off access to gambling sites more efficiently. According to him, law enforcement is the main factor in eradicating online gambling. The Information and Electronic Transactions Law (UU ITE) has provided an adequate legal framework to crack down on violations related to online gambling.
Then, the steps taken by the Government by forming an Online Gambling Task Force were considered appropriate in accelerating the eradication of gambling. The Online Gambling Task Force will carry out three legal operations to handle online gambling cases in society. The three types of operations are freezing accounts, taking action against buying and selling accounts, and taking action against online game transactions through top ups at minimarkets. Meanwhile, in the context of blocking the flow of online gambling funds, until March 2024 the Financial Services Authority (OJK) has blocked around 5,000 accounts used for online gambling transaction activities.
Chairman of the Communication and Information System Security Research Center (CISSRec), Dr. Pratama Pershada said there was a need for maximum law enforcement in efforts to effectively eradicate online gambling. Good law enforcement steps must be able to deter bookies, agents, and even perpetrators of online gambling activities. Dr. Pratama added that by conducting a thorough investigation into online gambling practices, including tracking digital traces and the activities of the perpetrators, it is considered that this can accelerate the eradication of online gambling.
According to him, this is important to do to collect strong enough evidence for further legal proceedings. Once strong evidence has been collected, law enforcement agencies need to take firm action against bookies, agents and online gambling perpetrators. The legal process must also be in accordance with applicable legal provisions and provide penalties appropriate to the violation.
Apart from that, Dr. Pratama Pershada said that the importance of cooperation between the Government and internet service providers is to block online gambling game links, not just blocking illegal online gambling sites. This step is considered to help reduce public access to harmful online gambling sites.
Cooperation between law enforcement agencies, government and society is very important in creating an environment free from online gambling. It is also important to provide outreach and education to the public regarding the dangers and consequences of online gambling activities.
By increasing public awareness, it is hoped that it can reduce interest and participation in online gambling practices. Then, involving cyber security experts in eradicating online gambling is also an important step that can increase effectiveness in facing cybercrime challenges .
Meanwhile, Vice President of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Indonesia Chapter, Budi Santoso, said that online gambling has become a disturbing phenomenon because it threatens social stability and damages the nation’s morals. To overcome the problem of online gambling, according to him, a comprehensive and sustainable approach or strategy is needed, one of which is implementing strict law enforcement.
Indiscriminate law enforcement is the first step in eradicating online gambling. The government must strengthen cooperation with law enforcement officials and related institutions to take firm action against perpetrators and online gambling service providers.
First, it is important to strengthen the law, such as revising and tightening the law related to gambling, especially online gambling, to provide heavier sanctions for violators. Second, increasing international cooperation considering that many online gambling sites are based abroad. International cooperation is needed to shut down these sites and arrest perpetrators outside Indonesia’s jurisdiction.
Good collaboration and coordination between all parties is very important to ensure that efforts to eradicate online gambling are effective, for example by strengthening regulations, increasing the capacity of law enforcement officers, educating the public, and using technology. By carrying out these steps, it is hoped that the public will have the same mindset and action patterns regarding the negative impacts of online gambling practices so that the Indonesian people can achieve a healthier, more prosperous and dignified life.
