Through Public Education, the Government Affirms its Commitment to Breaking the Cycle of Online Gambling
By: Maya Andini Lestari
The government continues to strengthen its efforts to eradicate online gambling through a more comprehensive approach, not only through enforcement and access cuts, but also through public education targeting the most vulnerable groups, namely the younger generation. This commitment was evident in the Coordination Meeting on Increasing Literacy for the Young Generation on the Dangers of Online Gambling held by the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam) in Purwokerto.
The event, which brought together university students, academics, high school students, teacher advisors, and local government representatives, aimed to broaden public understanding of the high prevalence of such practices in various regions. Central Java, for example, is the province with the second-highest number of players nationally. This situation underscores the importance of sustainable literacy, especially for the younger generation, who are now the primary target of various digital promotional methods.
Desman S. Tarigan, Deputy for Security and Public Order at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, stated in his remarks that this activity has become a real threat to the future of young people. He warned that the dreams and aspirations of young people could be shattered if they become trapped in a cycle of addiction and financial burden. According to his data, approximately 1.2 million players originate from Central Java, with promotional schemes ranging from balance bonuses and referral schemes to misleading advertisements targeting young users on social media.
From an academic perspective, the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Jenderal Soedirman University, Prof. Slamet Rosyadi, emphasized that young people are the most vulnerable due to the strong influence of the digital ecosystem. He believes that Generation Z often trusts influencer discourse more than the guidance of parents or teachers. Therefore, he encouraged participants to take on the role of agents of change, capable of spreading positive messages within their social circles. He also reminded that adolescent social behavior is heavily influenced by peers, so campaigns to avoid such practices must begin within the closest environment.
The government’s commitment doesn’t stop at education. In a technical presentation, a representative from the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) explained that more than 7.3 million pieces of content related to illicit activities had been blocked from 2017 to 2025. However, challenges remain significant, as new sites continue to emerge and most players come from lower-middle income groups. Komdigi also highlighted the prevalence of advertisements that use religious symbols, making them appear harmless, while in fact carrying the risk of addiction and financial loss.
In terms of transactions, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) recorded that the flow of funds related to these activities reached more than IDR 300 trillion in 2023–2024, with an additional IDR 155 trillion in the first half of 2025. PPATK emphasized that all transactions can be forensically traced, from bank accounts to digital wallets and QRIS. They believe that these practices can be eradicated, but emphasized that support from the community, families, and public figures is essential to break the chain of circulation.
Meanwhile, Komdigi, through the Directorate General of Digital Space Supervision, is strengthening compliance monitoring of digital platforms through the Content Moderation Compliance System (SAMAN). Through this system, every platform is required to remove gambling-related content within a specified time limit. Failure to comply can result in the government issuing warnings, imposing administrative fines, or even terminating access to the platform. This policy aligns with Law Number 1 of 2024 concerning the Second Amendment to the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE), which authorizes the government to restrict access to unlawful content, including content related to online gambling practices.
In addition to oversight, the government is strengthening cross-agency collaboration to disrupt transaction flows. Komdigi is collaborating with the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), digital platforms, and law enforcement officials to trace and block accounts, digital wallets, and other payment channels used by perpetrators. The government is also encouraging the public to report suspicious content through the official channel aduankonten.id as part of a participatory oversight mechanism.
Eradication efforts are also reflected in data presented by PPATK Head Ivan Yustiavandana. According to him, throughout 2025, transactions related to these activities were successfully reduced to IDR 155 trillion, a 57 percent decrease compared to the previous year. Player deposits also dropped sharply from IDR 51 trillion in 2024 to IDR 24.9 trillion. This decline is cited as evidence that government policies are beginning to show positive results.
As part of its long-term strategy, the government emphasized that the educational approach will continue to be expanded to more regions and community groups. This literacy program is designed not only as a response to the surge in online gambling cases, but also as a social investment to build the digital resilience of the younger generation. By strengthening critical thinking skills, understanding financial risks, and recognizing patterns of manipulation on illegal platforms, the government hopes that the public—especially school and university students—can act as the first line of defense in preventing the spread of these dangerous practices. Collaborative efforts between the government, academics, schools, and the community are a crucial foundation for the sustainable eradication of online gambling while protecting the nation’s future generations.
Social Issues Researcher – Nusantara Social Studies Institute
