Government Intensifies Massive Steps to Eradicating Online Gambling, Millions of Sites Blocked

Liputan6.com, Jakarta – Minister of Communication and Information (Kominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi stated that the government continues to take massive steps to eradicate the presence of online gambling in Indonesia.

One of the things that the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo and Informatics) does is block online gambling sites.

The Minister of Communication and Information explained that his party continues to increase the number of online gambling sites that are closed. This step has been carried out since last year until now.

“We have taken many steps, especially the government by closing 2,625,000 million online gambling sites. So, starting from July 17, 2023 to July 23, 2024,” he said in a press conference held in Jakarta, Thursday (7/25/2024).

Not only online gambling sites, the government also closed around 6,700 bank accounts and e-wallet which is suspected of being related to judol. According to the Minister of Communication and Information, this closure was carried out to prevent the wider spread of online gambling in society.

Moreover, based on the PPATK report, the accumulation of online gambling turnover in Indonesia has increased from year to year. Even last year, the amount reached Rp 327 trillion.

“And, what we do is able to hold back up to 50 percent of the potential impact of online gambling. In numbers, we are able to save or hold back people from playing online gambling up to Rp 45 trillion,” explained Budi Arie.

In addition, the Ministry of Communication and Information also continues to discuss with law enforcement officials regarding the steps to be taken regarding online gambling in the country.

On the same occasion, Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi also emphasized that online gambling is a scam that harms the community. He also said that online gambling is the biggest fraud on the Indonesian people.

“Because how can you be cheated, they say that from Rp 50,000 it can become Rp 1 billion, is that possible? It’s impossible, because online gambling is a fraud against the people,” he said, closing his statement.