Government Collaborates with Private Sector to Eradicate Online Gambling Content in the Digital Era
By: Fikri Hidayat Ramadhan
Online gambling is a serious threat to Indonesian society, not only harming individuals but also damaging the social and economic order. With a turnover of IDR 500 trillion in 2024, the impact is increasingly real and worrying. The government together with various parties, including technology companies such as Google, have made great efforts to suppress the spread of online gambling, but the challenges faced are still very large.
One concrete step in eradicating online gambling was taken by Google Indonesia. Every week, this company blocks around 100 thousand online gambling advertisements spread across various platforms such as Google Search, Google Play Store, and YouTube. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is the main tool in detecting and deleting online gambling content automatically without the need for reports from users. With machine learning technology, various spam sites that promote online gambling can be identified and blocked effectively.
However, even though Google has implemented various preventive measures, the number of victims of digital crime remains high. A study by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) noted that more than 50 percent of Indonesians experienced digital fraud in the past year. This shows that blocking efforts alone are not enough to reduce the negative impacts of online gambling. Therefore, Google has also developed the Google Safe Browsing feature that can detect and prevent online threats such as phishing, malware, and scams in real time.
On the other hand, the government has also shown its seriousness in dealing with this problem. President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) to draft a more comprehensive government regulation (PP) in dealing with online gambling. Minister of Komdigi, Meutya Hafid, emphasized that the regulation being drafted will regulate more broadly than the previous ministerial regulation. With the status as a PP, this regulation will involve various agencies, including the banking system and the Financial Services Authority (OJK), to ensure that the flow of funds from online gambling transactions can be monitored and stopped.
In addition to stricter regulations, eradicating online gambling also requires public awareness and education. Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, highlighted the importance of digital literacy so that people do not fall into the trap of online gambling and illegal online loans. Based on the data he presented, the number of online gambling application users in Indonesia has reached 8.8 million people in 2025, with around 80 thousand of them being children aged 10 years. This is a very worrying number, considering that the impact of online gambling is not only on financial losses but also on mental health and social welfare.
The negative impact of online gambling cannot be underestimated. Many individuals are addicted, in debt, experience prolonged stress, and even fall into criminal acts. This phenomenon has become a vicious circle that is difficult to break if there is no real action from various parties. The government has tried by closing thousands of accounts related to online gambling and illegal loans, as well as freezing thousands of illegal online loan services that have harmed the public up to hundreds of billions of rupiah. OJK, for example, has closed more than 3,500 illegal loan services that have caused losses of up to IDR 700 billion.
However, even though various efforts have been made, there are still many challenges to be faced. Online gambling continues to evolve with new tricks to avoid blocking. In addition, existing regulations often have loopholes that can be exploited by cybercriminals. Therefore, a more strategic approach is needed, including increasing cross-sector cooperation between the government, technology companies, banking, and civil society.
Digital education is also an aspect that cannot be ignored. The public needs to be given a deeper understanding of the risks of online gambling and how to protect themselves from these traps. Effective digital campaigns, educational seminars, and the integration of digital literacy into the education curriculum can be concrete steps to increase public awareness.
In addition, the government must also take firm steps in enforcing the law against online gambling perpetrators. Without severe sanctions and consistent law enforcement, this practice will continue to grow and threaten the younger generation. The use of more sophisticated surveillance technology and international cooperation to track the flow of online gambling funds are also steps that need to be considered.
In dealing with the threat of online gambling, there is no single solution that can solve this problem instantly. A combination of regulations is needed
