Appreciating Security Forces for Uncovering Online Dice Gambling to Protect the Younger Generation
By: Andi Mahesa
Online gambling has become a social problem that is increasingly worrying, especially amidst the rapid advancement of technology and digitalization that facilitates access to this illegal activity. Recently, the police have succeeded in uncovering an online dice gambling practice operating in the Yogyakarta and Pati areas, Central Java. The arrest of seven suspected perpetrators who dared to broadcast live via the TikTok application revealed how great the impact of online gambling is on society, including children and teenagers.
According to the Head of the Cyber Sub-Directorate of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the DIY Regional Police, AKBP Slamet Riyanto, the seven people who were arrested consisted of two gangs who ran the online gambling operation for around five months. During that period, they managed to earn a daily turnover of between IDR 2 million and IDR 3 million. The modus operandi they used was quite simple but cunning.
The perpetrators asked participants to make a minimum deposit of IDR 50,000 to a prepared account and then bet based on the results of the dice roll that they broadcast live on the TikTok platform. This phenomenon shows that online gambling practices are not only limited to special sites or applications, but also spread to social media that is commonly used by many people, including children.
This phenomenon reveals how dangerous online gambling practices are, which are now increasingly difficult to detect. The firm action taken by the police in dismantling this network shows that the government and security forces are not remaining silent in their efforts to eradicate digital crimes that damage social order. AKBP Slamet added that his party will continue to investigate and take action against online gambling practices that are increasingly massive in society.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, also reminded the public of the serious dangers of online gambling. On several occasions, his party said that online gambling not only attacks adults, but also targets children who are not mature enough to understand the negative impacts of gambling addiction. This phenomenon is the impact of the rapid development of digital technology which, although it provides many conveniences, also presents a major threat, especially for the younger generation.
Online gambling addiction among children and adolescents has the potential to ruin their future. In many cases, gambling addiction can disrupt the education process, reduce the quality of social interactions, and worsen mental and emotional conditions. Not infrequently, those who are caught in online gambling experience financial crises, borrow money from parents or friends, and even end up committing crimes. In this case, the role of the family is very important. The Chief of Police emphasized that prevention of online gambling must start from the family environment. Parents must be more aware of changes in their children’s behavior, and be active in supervising the use of digital devices.
However, the role of the family alone is not enough. This phenomenon must be handled comprehensively by all elements of society, including the government, educational institutions, and of course the mass media. The government, through the security forces, has shown its seriousness in eradicating this gambling practice by carrying out operations and arresting perpetrators.
On the other hand, educational and outreach campaigns on the dangers of online gambling must continue to be intensified. The government also needs to strengthen existing regulations so that the handling of online gambling can be more optimal, considering that there are so many digital platforms that can easily be misused for illegal purposes.
The success of the police in dismantling the online dice gambling practice must be appreciated as real evidence of the government’s seriousness in eradicating cybercrime. Behind this operation, there is a systematic effort by the police to identify and uncover online gambling networks that have been hiding behind the scenes. The DIY Regional Police and the Central Java Regional Police have shown their courage and perseverance in carrying out this task, by utilizing technology and expertise in the cyber field to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
In addition to enforcement, the government must also focus on prevention efforts. The public needs to be given a deeper understanding of the risks and impacts of online gambling. Through information campaigns involving various communication channels, be it in schools, social media, or government programs, the public is expected to be more aware and avoid the dangers of gambling.
