Government Affirms Legal Sanctions for Online Gambling Perpetrators and Providers
By: Berliana Safitri )*
The government continues to demonstrate a firm commitment to eradicating online gambling which is increasingly rampant in society. The legal steps implemented are proof of the government’s seriousness in taking firm action against perpetrators and providers of online gambling services. Through cross-agency collaboration, including the Ministry of Communication and Digital and the National Police, various cases have been uncovered with an impartial legal process.
The Directorate of Cyber Crime at the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit has named eleven suspects in three major cases related to online gambling. One of these cases involved the H5 GF777 site, with two suspects also connected to the Sule 99 site. The Director of Cyber Crime at the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Himawan Bayu Aji, explained that the suspects acted as directors of a company that provided deposit services for online gambling. In this case, assets worth IDR 45 billion have been frozen and confiscated by the authorities.
Another case that was successfully uncovered involved the RGO Casino site, where five suspects have been arrested. They are known to have carried out a modus operandi by offering information to prospective players through messaging applications and providing various bonuses to attract new participants. One of the suspects acted as a customer service manager who controlled up to 17 other online gambling sites. From this arrest, cash worth IDR 1.6 billion was confiscated.
Another major case highlighted was the Agen 138 site involving four suspects. The suspects acted as customer service operators and managers of the gambling site. The authorities managed to confiscate IDR 5.1 billion from this case.
The suspects were charged with various articles in the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE), the Law on Fund Transfers, and criminal money laundering regulations, with a maximum sentence of up to twenty years in prison.
Director of Special Economic Crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Brigadier General Helfi Assegaf, emphasized that eradicating online gambling is an important part of President Prabowo Subianto’s policy, which focuses on collaborative law enforcement to create an inclusive economy towards Indonesia Emas 2045.
Helfi highlighted the determination of suspects in the case involving PT Arta Jaya Putra (AJP) and the company’s commissioners. The property company is suspected of receiving funds from online gambling which were then used to invest in the construction and management of the Aruss Hotel in Semarang. This law enforcement step not only targets the perpetrators, but also ensures that the flow of illegal funds can be cut off and state assets are saved.
In line with intensive law enforcement, the government’s steps have also received attention from legal experts. Legal academic Sulistyowati stated that increasing public awareness of the dangers of digital gambling is the first step that needs to be taken.
According to her, education can start from the family environment and local communities. In addition, rehabilitation for those who are already addicted must also be a concern so that they can return to living productive lives.
Sulistyowati also highlighted that attractive promotions and a sense of anonymity make online gambling even more tempting for many people, including those from the lower middle class. Therefore, the government’s firm steps in blocking more than five million online gambling-related content since 2017 are significant efforts that deserve appreciation.
A collaborative approach between the government, law enforcement officers, and the community is key to facing the challenges of online gambling. With increasingly advanced technology, the government continues to strengthen efforts to block illegal sites and detect suspicious activities in the digital world.
The authorities will not only take action against the direct perpetrators, but also those involved in managing funds and promoting online gambling. In addition, the government also does not ignore the importance of educating the public as an integral part of eradicating online gambling.
The large-scale confiscation of assets in online gambling cases shows that the government is serious about enforcing the law. This step is not only about stopping gambling activities, but also preventing illicit money from eroding the country’s economy.
In the case of PT AJP, the seizure of assets worth Rp103.27 billion from the company’s account is concrete evidence that the government has a comprehensive strategy in eradicating online gambling.
In the long term, public support through reporting online gambling activities and compliance with legal regulations is essential.
