Opening 5,000 Suspicious Accounts Key to Revealing "Online" Gambling

"We want the main target to be hit," said Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Hadi Tjahjanto, in a press conference after coordinating with several ministry and agency leaders in Jakarta on Wednesday (23/4/2024).

Currently, 5,000 of these accounts have been frozen. However, Hadi refused to mention the total amount of money in the account.

Also read: Eradicate Online Gambling, Middle Class Needs Attention

According to Hadi, from 2017 to 2024, online gambling users have significantly increased. Citing data from the Financial Transactions and Analysis Center (PPATK), in 2023, there were 3.2 million people in Indonesia who played online gambling. About 80 percent of them played with a value below Rp 100,000.

"The turnover of online gambling in 2023 reached IDR 327 trillion. That's an aggregate number, including the inflow and outflow of funds. In the first month of 2024 alone, it was recorded at IDR 100 trillion. It is extraordinary," said Hadi.

Also read: Online Gambling Money Turnover Reaches IDR 327 Trillion

On the other hand, according to Hadi, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has taken action and closed down 805,923 online gambling content until December 30, 2023. Most of the servers for these online gambling sites are located overseas.

The circulation of money (online gambling) in 2023 reaches IDR 327 trillion. That's an aggregate number, yes. Money going in and out. In the first month of 2024 alone, there was a recorded amount of IDR 100 trillion. It is extraordinary.

On the other hand, Hadi acknowledges that cracking down on online gambling is not easy because online gambling operators are located overseas, even though they are still within the ASEAN region. Unlike in Indonesia, in some ASEAN countries, gambling is a legal activity.

Also read: A Thrilling Journey to the "Online" Gambling Center in Cambodia

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to expand its memorandum of understanding with several other ASEAN countries in the field of information technology crimes. Currently, cooperation with the form of a new memorandum of understanding in the field of criminal trafficking in persons.

"Even though (the value of) online gambling is under IDR 100,000, the side effects are dangerous," explained Hadi.

The opening of 5,000 suspicious accounts suspected of being related to illegal activities is one of the targets of the online gambling eradication task force that will be formed by the government. The formation of the task force whose members cross ministries/institutions is a follow-up to President Joko Widodo's order to immediately eradicate online gambling.

"Online gambling has disturbed society because of its impact on society, especially on the next generation, starting from middle school, high school and even elementary school levels," said Hadi.

Also read: Intensive Formation of Online Gambling Task Force Members Starts Next Week

Online gambling is believed to be increasingly developing. In terms of methods, if in 2015 online gambling used credit mechanisms, then it was carried out in cash, now online gambling already uses automatic links.

The most popular type of online gambling is slots. ”(This is) Because it is easier to do anywhere. "While sitting, at any time, you can gamble online," said Hadi.

Separately, defense and security observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, Khairul Fahmi, is of the view that the challenge of eradicating online gambling is first of all due to the digital space which is not limited by national partitions or borders (stateless). Under these conditions, users or online gambling players are also anonymous.

"The state finds it difficult to intervene in digital space, even in cases of illegal activities. Partial regulations are not effective in limiting illegal actions," said Khairul.

That is why, according to Khairul, the government's action in closing online gambling sites will not be effective. Because, when one site is closed, it will be easy to create more sites in larger numbers.

Also read: Even though it is not yet optimal, there is nothing wrong with trying to eradicate online gambling with the Task Force

Khairul doubts the creation of a task force by the government. This is because the formation of a task force - as has been done several times for other matters or fields, such as the anti-corruption task force - has never been effective. Nevertheless, he appreciates the government's efforts to eradicate online gambling.

Khairul hopes that the task force will act tactically according to priority scale. Because in eradicating online gambling, many things need to be improved. In addition, the task force must also intensify education to the public about the dangers of being caught up in online gambling.