KBRN, Jakarta: The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has reported a significant rise in online gambling activity in Indonesia, with transactions reaching IDR 349 trillion (USD 20.7 billion) in 2024 and are expected to climb to IDR 1,200 trillion by year-end, PPATK Spokesperson Natsir Kongah revealed.

Natsir pointed to significant public demand as the driving force behind the surge in online gambling transactions. He praised law enforcement for cracking down on offenders and securing evidence but admitted that the flow of gambling money remains on a steep upward trajectory, rri.co.id reported.

He said the rise of online gambling has negatively affected the national economy, particularly by diminishing public productivity. He emphasized the need for the government to strengthen its appeals, urging the public to refrain from engaging in such activities.

Natsir further emphasized the crucial role of families in preventing their members from getting involved in online gambling. "This must be a concern for all parties and become a national education movement," he asserted.

PPATK also supports the government's efforts to eradicate online gambling through the blocking of related websites, the strengthening of regulations, and law enforcement against bookmakers. Natsir cautioned that without firm action, the eradication of online gambling will be difficult to achieve.

In these efforts, PPATK actively collaborates internationally with countries such as Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Through this collaboration, the exchange of information between countries can be carried out to narrow the space for cross-border online gambling actors.

Online gambling in Indonesia has become a significant concern, with millions of people engaging in this illegal activity. The government estimates that around 2.7 million Indonesians, most of whom are young individuals aged between 17 to 20 years from low-income families, regularly involve in online gambling.

The Indonesian government has taken various efforts to address this issue, including blocking gambling websites, however these sites often reappear under new names and domains. Many operate from overseas servers. Legal measures have also been intensified, with harsh penalties for those involved in online gambling.

The government has launched public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the dangers of online gambling as well as digital literacy programs and collaborations with community leaders aimed to steer people away from gambling and promote healthier financial habits. ***