Government Successfully Eradicates Online Gambling, Online Gambling Mafia Increasingly Cornered
By: Khamdan Kurniawan
Eradicating online gambling in Indonesia is increasingly becoming the government’s top priority. President Prabowo Subianto emphasized his commitment to eradicating this illegal practice which is increasingly rampant and has a negative impact on society. This effort is being carried out comprehensively by deploying various related agencies, including the Police, the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), and the Financial Services Authority (OJK).
One proof of the government’s seriousness is the disclosure of an international online gambling network involving the “1XBet” site. The Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police managed to arrest nine suspects in various regions, including Riau, the Riau Islands, Banten, and West Java. One of the suspects, RI (40), is known to be a platinum member of the gambling site and spends up to IDR 6 billion per month on gambling. This success shows that the government is not only taking action against bookies, but also big players involved in the circulation of online gambling money.
Director of General Crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Brigadier General Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro, revealed that the money turnover in this case was very large and is still under further investigation with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK). The success of this disclosure proves that the online gambling network has infiltrated various levels of society, even involving big business people.
The effectiveness of eradicating online gambling is increasingly visible with the government’s quick steps in blocking thousands of illegal sites. According to Komdigi data, since the beginning of the year until now, more than 5,000 online gambling sites have been closed. This blocking is carried out using sophisticated monitoring technology that allows automatic detection of sites containing online gambling activities. In addition, the government is also working with banks to block accounts that are suspected of being involved in online gambling transactions. This step has proven effective in inhibiting the money turnover that is the lifeblood of this illegal business.
Another step taken by the government is to strengthen regulations related to online gambling. The Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, stated that the government will soon issue a new Government Regulation (PP) to handle online gambling more effectively. This regulation will integrate various regulations in the banking sector, OJK, and digital payment systems, so that eradication efforts can be carried out more comprehensively and not only rely on blocking sites by Komdigi.
In addition to regulations, strengthening cybersecurity is also a serious concern. Komdigi together with the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) have emphasized their commitment to strengthening coordination to ensure more resilient national digital security. Minister Meutya Hafid emphasized the importance of a quick response and solid coordination in dealing with cyber threats, including online gambling. The Head of BSSN, Nugroho Sulistyo Budi, also stated that real steps have been taken to strengthen the cyber defense system, digital security regulations, and data protection technology.
The online gambling case involving Indonesia is just one example of how serious the impact of online gambling is in Indonesia. Not a few people have fallen into the circle of online gambling to the point of bankruptcy. Many of them are tempted by the lure of instant profits, but in the end they lose all their possessions.
In addition to the financial impact, online gambling also has serious psychological effects. Many victims become addicted and have difficulty breaking free from this practice. They continue to gamble in the hope of winning big, when in reality they are actually getting more and more trapped in debt. This also has an impact on their families, causing domestic conflicts, divorce, and even criminal acts due to economic pressure.
The government realizes that eradicating online gambling cannot only rely on repressive measures. Therefore, in addition to law enforcement, preventive measures are also being taken. One of the efforts that has been intensified is educating the public about the dangers of online gambling. Socialization is carried out through various platforms, including social media, seminars, and cooperation with educational institutions so that the younger generation is more aware of the dangers of online gambling.
Another effort that has been made is to increase international cooperation to crack down on online gambling networks that operate from abroad. Many bookies manage their operations from outside Indonesia, taking advantage of regulatory loopholes to continue running this illegal business. Therefore, cooperation with other countries is important so that perpetrators can be prosecuted and their assets frozen.
