Need strategies to tackle online gambling’s far-reaching impacts: Govt

The ministry has successfully taken down a total of 2,552,749 pieces of online gambling content from July 17, 2023, to July 17, 2024, three times higher than the 800 thousand pieces blocked during the 2017-2023 period.

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) Minister Budi Arie Setiadi emphasized the need to devise strategic policies to deal with online gambling practices since they have adversely influenced society to a great effect.

During the inauguration of the Task Force of Cyber Crime and Online Gambling in Jakarta on Friday (July 19), he cited data presented by the Financial Transaction Reporting and Analysis Center, saying that government officials and security officers have also been involved in such practices.

“Around four thousand military personnel are exposed to online gambling, 15 people at the Kominfo Ministry, about a thousand at national and regional legislative councils, and some 30 staff at the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission),” he remarked, according to his office’s statement here on Sunday.

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The minister then highlighted that some companies had decided to dismiss their employees for deteriorating productivity as a result of addiction to online gambling.

“Imagine, a factory in Bekasi laid off about 1,500 workers, half of which were discharged over online gambling activities, which drove them to commit any measures necessary, including stealing, to gamble. As a result, the crime rate rose,” he stated.

On that note, he reiterated that the Kominfo Ministry is committed to taking various actions to eradicate online gambling, including severing access to websites that facilitate it.

According to him, the ministry has successfully taken down a total of 2,552,749 pieces of online gambling content from July 17, 2023, to July 17, 2024, three times higher than the 800 thousand pieces blocked during the 2017-2023 period.

He also emphasized the importance of all parties supporting the government in its efforts to protect Indonesia from crimes on digital space.

“I highly appreciate the establishment of the Task Force of Cyber Crime and Online Gambling, considering the government requires support from all relevant stakeholders to succeed in implementing its strategies,” he remarked.

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Translator: Fitra A, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
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