Online Gambling as a Source of Disaster in Society
By: Astrid Kumala )*
The problem of online gambling is a common problem that can not only destroy a person’s life, but also the future of the nation. In facing this challenge, cross-sector synergy involving all parties is needed to eradicate online gambling and its social impacts.
Online gambling has become a major threat that continues to grow in the digital era. This practice is not only financially detrimental, but also has other serious impacts such as increasing poverty, mental health disorders, and threats to the security of personal data. The massive amount of misleading advertising on various digital platforms has worsened the situation, luring millions of people into a detrimental gambling cycle. According to data, more than 8.8 million people have been involved in this activity, making it one of the main causes of the birth of the new poor.
The negative impacts of online gambling are not only limited to economic losses. Many individuals who are trapped in this activity lose their savings, assets, and even jobs because of their dependence. In addition, online gambling is often accompanied by risks to the security of personal data.
Illegal sites that do not have clear privacy policies can misuse data such as mobile phone numbers, email addresses, and bank account numbers. This threat becomes more real when gamblers experience major losses, which not only cause financial problems but also trigger mental disorders such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
On the other hand, gambling addiction also affects social and family relationships. Addicted individuals tend to prioritize gambling activities over their responsibilities, causing conflict in the family and work environment. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified gambling addiction as a mental health disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
Digital literacy is the main key in educating the public about the dangers of online gambling. Raising public awareness of the modus operandi of online gambling and misleading advertisements is essential to building public resistance to this temptation. Digital literacy can also help individuals understand the risks they face when engaging in gambling, both in terms of finances and personal data security.
According to the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment (Menko PM), Muhaimin Iskandar, preventive measures must start at the village level by involving various elements of society, such as village assistants, Family Hope Program (PKH) assistants, and regional development cadres. Through a community-based approach, the community can more easily understand the dangers of online gambling and work together to prevent its spread.
Eradicating online gambling cannot be done by one party alone. Coordination between various ministries and institutions is needed to create a comprehensive solution. The Minister of Communication and Digital (Menkomdigi), Meutya Hafid, emphasized the importance of cross-sector cooperation to address this problem in an integrated manner. One concrete step that can be taken is to tighten content moderation on digital platforms such as Facebook, Google, and WhatsApp, which have so far been the media for spreading online gambling advertisements.
One effective approach to eradicating online gambling is to address the root of the problem that drives individuals to engage in this activity. Many people view gambling as an instant way to escape economic difficulties or simply entertainment without understanding the long-term risks.
Therefore, it is important to provide positive alternatives, such as skills training, access to decent jobs, and economic empowerment programs at the local level.
This approach must also involve local leaders, community leaders, and educators to become agents of change. They can act as effective messengers in disseminating information about the dangers of online gambling and providing concrete solutions to address the problems faced by the community.
The digital era brings new challenges in eradicating online gambling, especially with the rapid growth of technology that makes it easier for people to access gambling platforms. According to research, the global market value for the online casino and gambling sector will reach US$ 292.1 billion in 2023, with a much faster growth rate than traditional casinos.
