Online Gambling Triggers Psychological Impacts and Threats to the Younger Generation
By: Fikri Hidayat Ramadhan
Online gambling (judol) is a serious threat in Indonesia, with widespread impacts ranging from financial to psychological aspects. Based on the latest data submitted by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan in November 2024, it was recorded that 8.8 million Indonesian citizens were involved in online gambling activities. This figure reflects the massive spread of digital gambling platforms which are now very easy to access by various groups, including children. This shows that online gambling is not just an illegal activity, but also a worrying social problem.
Ease of access to technology is the main factor driving the development of online gambling. Through mobile applications and websites, this platform is able to reach users of various ages, including children under 10 years old. Data shows that around 80 thousand Indonesian children have been caught up in this activity. In addition, there are 97 thousand members of the TNI-Polri and 1.9 million private employees who are also online gamblers. This raises concerns that this phenomenon could damage the morale, productivity, and social stability of the Indonesian people.
Various studies have shown that the psychological impact of online gambling should not be underestimated. Gambling addiction can trigger mental disorders such as stress, anxiety, and depression. When someone continues to lose in gambling, they tend to feel hopeless and lose confidence.
One of the most striking impacts of online gambling is significant financial losses. The turnover of money in this activity in 2024 is estimated to reach IDR 900 trillion, with this figure showing how online gambling has become an ecosystem that is detrimental to the country’s economy. The government has taken steps, such as blocking accounts and confiscating assets worth IDR 77 billion, to reduce its negative impacts. However, these efforts need to be supported by public awareness to stay away from the trap of online gambling.
Psychological impacts are also a major issue in the online gambling phenomenon. Many players experience emotional stress due to losing large amounts of money, getting caught in a cycle of debt, and losing control over their gambling habits. OJK Chief Executive, Friderica Widyasari Dewi, assessed that young people are vulnerable to the influence of online gambling because of unhealthy lifestyles, such as the tendency of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), FOPO (Fear of Other People’s Opinions), and YOLO (You Only Live Once).
FOMO, for example, makes someone afraid of missing out on trends, so they are encouraged to try online gambling even though they do not understand the risks involved. FOPO, on the other hand, makes individuals think too much about other people’s opinions, which ultimately affects their financial decisions. Meanwhile, the YOLO principle is often used as justification for being impulsive and ignoring long-term consequences.
This condition is exacerbated by the low financial literacy among young people. They tend to make financial decisions without careful consideration, which opens up opportunities for them to fall into financial traps such as online gambling and online loans (pinjol). In this case, financial education is a very important step. OJK has encouraged the public to use a “Legal and Logical” approach in making financial decisions.
In addition, the social environment also plays a major role in exacerbating the impact of online gambling. Pressure from peer groups or online communities often encourages someone to continue gambling, even though they are aware of the harm. Shame and fear of being judged often make online gambling victims reluctant to seek help or admit their problems.
Online gambling also has serious implications for social relationships. When someone is trapped in the trap of gambling, they not only harm themselves but also their families and those around them. Losing money due to gambling often triggers conflict in the household, even in some cases, leading to violence or criminal acts. This shows that the impact of online gambling is much more complex than just a legal issue.
The government’s efforts to eradicate online gambling need to be supported by various parties, including families, schools, and communities. The role of parents is very important in monitoring children’s activities in the digital world and providing an understanding of the dangers of online gambling. In addition, educational institutions can contribute by including financial literacy in the curriculum so that the younger generation better understands how to manage finances wisely.
As a society, we must also be more critical of the growing trends in the digital world.
