By: Bara Winatha)*
The eradication of online gambling in Indonesia has become one of the government’s priority agendas in safeguarding social stability, economic resilience, and the digital security of society. The threat of online gambling not only causes financial losses for individuals but also disrupts family structures, triggers criminal activity, and poses risks of personal data misuse. This phenomenon has grown increasingly complex as it involves transnational networks with continuously evolving modes of operation. To address this, the government—through cross-sectoral coordination—prioritizes a comprehensive approach of prevention, enforcement, and digital literacy.
Assistant Deputy for Data Protection and Electronic Transactions at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Syaiful Garyadi, stated that the threat of online gambling in Indonesia is not a simple matter as it has wide-ranging impacts on society. He emphasized that the government has established an Online Gambling Eradication Task Force involving ministries, central agencies, regional governments, and local leaders. Digital literacy, he stressed, is a key component—not only in terms of technological skills but also in building critical awareness so that people are not easily lured into online gambling schemes.
Data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) underscores the seriousness of this issue. In the Riau Islands, with a population of 2.18 million, as many as 66,097 people were found to be involved in online gambling. Even more concerning, 2,377 families receiving social assistance were identified as participating, with total deposits reaching Rp 8.31 billion. This highlights how online gambling often targets low-income groups, further deepening poverty. According to Garyadi, strategic measures now being pursued include aligning data protection policies, strengthening regulations under the ITE Law and the Personal Data Protection Law, as well as promoting digital literacy as an early prevention effort.
Commitment to eradicating online gambling is also evident at the regional level. Governor of the Riau Islands, Ansar Ahmad, stated that synergy between central and regional governments is crucial to ensure that national priority programs truly benefit society. He explained that local governments have taken preventive measures, including tracking civil servants suspected of involvement, working with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Bank Indonesia (BI) to provide guidance, and campaigning against online gambling through social media. As a border region, the Riau Islands are particularly vulnerable to transnational gambling networks, making digital literacy a primary shield in protecting local communities.
Beyond digital literacy, prevention also includes public education so that people understand the destructive impacts of online gambling. Such practices not only harm individuals but also create broader social vulnerabilities, from family conflicts and misuse of household finances to increased crime rates. A collaborative approach is therefore essential, with society itself serving as the frontline in rejecting, reporting, and avoiding online gambling. According to Garyadi, this will be more effective when combined with strict monitoring by law enforcement and the empowerment of local communities.
On the digital oversight front, Director General of Digital Space Monitoring at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Alexander Sabar, revealed that the ministry has handled over 2 million pieces of online gambling content between October 2024 and September 2025. These came from various platforms, including websites, IP addresses, social media, file-sharing applications, and instant messaging apps. Cutting off access to illegal digital content has become a priority due to the massive reach of online gambling and its direct impact on society. Sabar emphasized that online gamblers are essentially victims who need assistance to escape addiction, while strict action must be directed at operators and networks running these systems.
In addition to blocking access, the ministry continues to carry out digital literacy campaigns and public education. Alexander noted that the ministry works with local governments and community organizations to raise awareness about the dangers of online gambling, its social consequences, and ways to protect oneself from falling into its traps. These literacy programs are expected to reach not only urban populations but also border areas and remote regions that are often targeted by cross-border networks. In this way, communities can build resilience early on and avoid becoming victims of harmful practices.
This series of cross-sectoral efforts highlights the government’s determination to combat online gambling in Indonesia. From the national to local levels, strategies include access termination, bank account blocking, law enforcement, and preventive digital literacy programs. Through joint commitment, firm government action, and active community participation, this threat can be significantly curbed.
The public itself plays a vital role in eradicating online gambling. Vigilance, critical awareness, and a firm stance against all forms of gambling serve as the first line of defense. By recognizing that online gambling not only causes economic harm but also entangles individuals in broader social problems, every person is expected to protect themselves and their communities. The government has demonstrated its seriousness through a wide range of policies—now it is time for society to join hands in creating a digital space that is healthy, safe, and productive for all.
*) The author is a social and community affairs observer.
