Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — The Impact of online gambling has ensnared countless victims across Indonesia, with many falling into financial ruin. Senior economist and former Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro has highlighted online gambling as a significant factor driving the nation’s middle class into poverty.
“Online gambling has an extraordinary impact, and many of those involved are from the middle class, the aspiring middle class, and even those on the brink of poverty,” Bambang stated during a discussion at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in Jakarta, as quoted on Friday (August 30, 2024).
Bambang explained that online gambling has an effect on individuals’ financial stability due to its addictive nature, rapidly draining the income of those who participate.
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In response to these concerns, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo), Budi Arie Setiadi, aligned with Bambang’s sentiments regarding the negative economic impact of online gambling. The Ministry, in collaboration with various other agencies, has been taking aggressive measures to combat this illegal activity. This effort includes blocking gambling websites, restricting internet access to and from foreign sites, and freezing accounts and bank accounts affiliated with online gambling.
“I firmly believe that online gambling is destructive to both the economy of the community and the economy of families,” Budi Arie emphasized.
He further elaborated that, according to data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), 2.7 million Indonesians were involved in online gambling throughout 2023. Of these, 2.1 million were students (youth) and housewives.
Budi also emphasized the need for collective action to combat the harmful effects of online gambling.
“I want to remind everyone that online gambling is a form of fraud. Those already involved should stop immediately, and those who have never played should never try. It is not only economically damaging but also detrimental to mental and psychological health,” he warned.
(Raidi/Agung)
