‘The promised wealth from gambling is a lie. Because gambling can make the rich poor, let alone the poor.’ Rhoma Irama, the King of Dangdut
The phenomenon of gambling online in Indonesia like fire in the chaff. Hidden, but quietly burning and spreading rapidly.
The rise of online gambling in society has become a worrying phenomenon. Like a virus that spreads rapidly, online gambling is quietly eating away at the joints of community life. Its negative impacts cannot be underestimated.
Data from various journalistic sources shows a significant increase in recent years, both in terms of the number of players, websites, and financial losses incurred.
A recent Narasi TV investigative report stated that suspicious financial transactions related to online gambling continue to increase every year. PPATK data in the first quarter of 2024, the number of online gambling transactions reached a terrifying point. If accumulated, the amount has exceeded IDR 600 trillion in the first quarter of this year alone. This figure has jumped drastically from IDR 397 trillion in 2023. This figure shows how massive this phenomenon is and how easy it is to access online gambling sites.
Not only the number of players, the financial losses incurred are also very concerning. CNN Indonesia once quoted a statement from a digital economic expert who estimated that state losses due to online gambling reached trillions of rupiah per year.
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The bookies online increasingly adept at carrying out their actions. They utilize various platforms, from websites, social media, to instant messaging applications to catch victims. Liputan6.com once revealed a new mode where online gambling bookies recruit housewives to become agents with the lure of large commissions.
Difficult economic conditions and a lack of job opportunities are factors that drive people, especially young people, to be busy looking for shortcuts through online gambling.
Research shows a significant increase in poverty rates in areas with easy access to online gambling.
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Online gamblers are often trapped in a vicious cycle of debt due to continuous losses. This can have an impact on the economic and social life of the family.
Property is completely pawned, even not a few are entangled in huge debts. To cover debts due to online gambling, not a few people are desperate to commit crimes such as theft, fraud, even robbery.
The rapid development of technology and the internet has made access to online gambling sites very easy. With just a smartphone and an internet connection, anyone can easily access these sites.
Also read: Lampung Police Arrest Dozens of Celebgrams Promoting Online Gambling
Although illegal, law enforcement once morest online gambling in Indonesia is still relatively weak. This makes online bookies increasingly bold and free in carrying out their actions.
Online gambling is highly addictive and can lead to addiction that can lead to mental disorders such as depression, stress, and even suicidal tendencies.
The government needs to take strict action once morest online gambling perpetrators, both bookies, agents, and players. Heavy penalties are expected to provide a deterrent effect and prevent others from getting involved.
There needs to be massive education and outreach to the public, especially the younger generation, regarding the dangers and negative impacts of online gambling.
The government needs to work with internet service providers to block online gambling sites.
The rise of online gambling in Indonesia is a serious problem that needs to be addressed comprehensively.
Cooperation from various parties is needed, including the government, law enforcement, the community, and the mass media to eradicate this phenomenon. Without serious efforts, online gambling will continue to be a scourge that threatens the morals, economy, and future of the nation.
Concrete steps are needed
According to the author, eradicating online gambling does require concrete steps. Especially following President Joko Widodo formed the Online Gambling Eradication Task Force chaired by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto. The formation of the Online Gambling Eradication Task Force seems to be a breath of fresh air for more serious efforts to eradicate online gambling, but it all depends on implementation in the field. If there is no concrete action, it will certainly be a blunder.
The public has high hopes for the Gambling Eradication Task Force Online can work optimally in eradicating and suppressing the proliferation of online gambling applications. Efforts to eradicate online gambling are like just drumbeats without any real war action. In fact, online gambling has claimed victims from state officials who should be eradicating it.
Online gambling cannot be separated from financial transactions that use licensed platforms. Therefore, serious law enforcement is needed to follow up on the flow of online gambling funds that are already known to PPATK.
The public has high hopes for the Gambling Eradication Task Force Online can work optimally in eradicating and suppressing the proliferation of online gambling applications. Efforts to eradicate online gambling are like just drumbeats without any real war action. In fact, online gambling has claimed victims from state officials who should be eradicating it.
In eradicating online gambling, there are certain difficulties related to the characteristics of online or cyber technology. borderless (borderless), cross-border and cross-country, with very high speed of change and content production.
However, online gambling cannot be separated from financial transactions that still use platforms that can still be controlled and licensed.
So, the first step if you are serious regarding eradicating online gambling is to close their (the perpetrators’) financial transactions because the speed of closing content apparently does not beat the production of online gambling content.
Furthermore, serious law enforcement is needed by following up on the flow of online gambling funds that are already known to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK).
The author also criticized the steps of law enforcement officers who only arrested operators and consumers at the lower level, while transactions carried out by big bookies have not been touched. The Rp327 trillion transaction that was once revealed by PPATK was not followed up seriously.
Meanwhile, the Cyber Directorate of the National Police that was formed also still targets consumers, never touching online gambling platform managers. This resulted in the perception that there was involvement of law enforcement officers as backers of online gambling bookies. The issue of the 303 consortium that dragged the names of high-ranking police officers was almost never confirmed by the National Police authorities.
In addition, efforts to ensnare online gambling perpetrators with the Criminal Code and the ITE Law have not had a deterrent effect. Article 303 of the Criminal Code only mentions a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp25 million.
According to the author, online gambling bookies should also be charged with articles related to the Money Laundering Crime (TPPU) Law which can subject suspects to a prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum fine of IDR 2 billion.
But that alone is certainly not enough to deter. That is why it is necessary to immediately issue a law regarding the confiscation of assets from crime.
Isn’t it according to the Criminal Code (KUHP). Article 303 bis of the Criminal Code also threatens gamblers with a maximum imprisonment of four years and/or a maximum criminal fine of 10 million rupiah. Gamblers are part of the perpetrators, and according to the Criminal Code Article 303 states that gambling is not a crime, as well as the ITE Law Number 11 of 2008 in Article 27, online gambling is a crime, and is a serious crime, not a minor crime, because the punishment for online gambling is six years in prison, a fine of Rp1 billion.
As for the ITE Law number 11 of 2008, Chapter VII concerning Prohibited Acts, Article 27 paragraph 2 states, “Any person who intentionally and without authority distributes and/or transmits and/or makes accessible Electronic Information and/or Electronic Documents containing gambling content.”
The Fight Against Gambling Online
Fighting online gambling is not an easy matter. It requires cooperation from all parties, starting from the government with strict regulations, firm law enforcement, to the active role of the community in building awareness of its dangers. Education regarding digital literacy and strengthening religious and moral values are important bulwarks in fighting this online gambling virus.
The government, like a warlord, has a great responsibility to protect its people. Its effective strategy must be comprehensive and target all fronts.
The law must be the supreme commander! Strict action once morest online gambling perpetrators and bookies, without discrimination, will provide a deterrent effect and minimize their room for maneuver.
Like turning off the tap of a water source, blocking online gambling sites must be done periodically and effectively. Technology continues to evolve, as does the modus operandi of online gamblers. The government must always be one step ahead!
It is important to continue educating the public, especially the younger generation, regarding the latent dangers of online gambling. Massive and interesting socialization, involving community leaders and influencers, can be a powerful weapon.
However, the government cannot work alone. The community, as the front line, also has a crucial role:
In this digital era, having good digital literacy is a must. People must be smart and critical in filtering information in cyberspace, including tempting offers from online gambling sites.
A positive and supportive family and community environment is the strongest defense. Reminding and giving advice to each other can prevent someone from falling into the trap of online gambling.
Don’t be afraid to report! The public must be proactive in reporting online gambling sites or activities to the authorities. Information from the public is very valuable in the effort to eradicate online gambling.
In essence, fighting online gambling requires strong synergy and collaboration between the government and society.
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