The Minister of Empowerment has called for immediate government action to stop this phenomena and safeguard the interests of the populace, since Indonesia loses IDR 9 quadrillion every year due to foreign online gambling transactions.
Jakarta, November 15, 2024—At a recent press conference, Muhaimin Iskandar, also known as Cak Imin, Minister of Empowerment of State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform, disclosed that up to IDR 9 quadrillion in online gaming transactions go overseas annually. National officials have taken notice of this startling statistic, especially President Prabowo Subianto, who voiced his deep worry and urged the cabinet to move quickly to resolve the matter.
Cak Imin spoke with a number of online gambling victims while visiting the psychiatric ward of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Jakarta. “We must not overlook the problem of internet gambling,” he said. The annual departure of so much money has detrimental effects on the social and economic well-being of our country. He noted that although internet gambling has serious detrimental effects on society and the economy, it is still very difficult to eradicate this practice entirely.
In particular, Cak Imin stated that 8.8 million Indonesians gamble online, with 80% of them coming from low- and middle-income backgrounds. This participation rate shows the intensity of social mental health problems in addition to the economic troubles that people face. Online gambling is a national social crisis that needs the attention of the entire population, he underlined.
Cak Imin intends to work with pertinent departments to develop workable solutions in order to address this problem. He said that in order to assist victims in regaining their psychological health, the government will concentrate on the effects of internet gambling on mental health and plan further events in the future. According to Cak Imin, the government will offer victims of internet gambling the support they need to overcome the stigma associated with gambling and regain their self-confidence in life, including social support and psychiatric treatment.
He also announced the beginning of statewide educational and advertising initiatives to increase public awareness of the risks associated with internet gambling. Cak Imin emphasized that the only way to successfully stop the growth of online gambling is for society as a whole to work together. He intends to work with communities and civil society organizations to advance the application and enforcement of pertinent policies.
In order to more effectively combat internet gambling, Cak Imin also stated during the press conference that the government will aggressively look into amending pertinent laws and regulations. He admitted that the current legal system is inadequate to handle the growing complexity of online gambling and that changes are required to adjust to the new circumstances.
According to reports, the Indonesian government has started researching international regulatory experiences with relation to online gambling in order to learn from other nations’ successful strategies and create solutions appropriate for its own domestic setting. In order to preserve community safety and health, he also urged all facets of society to take an active role in reporting online gaming operations.
Examined closely are the actions made by the Indonesian government as the problem of internet gambling gets worse. According to Cak Imin, frequent meetings will be held going forward to evaluate the efficacy of governance and make necessary adjustments to policies and plans to guarantee the success of various initiatives.
As Indonesia enters a new phase, the government hopes to stop the expansion of online gambling by restoring a healthy social environment, safeguarding the economic interests and mental health of its population, and implementing comprehensive governance and social engagement.
