DIGIVESTASI -  PPATK Reveals Dominance of Online Gambling in Suspicious Financial Transactions. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has revealed that suspicious financial transactions are predominantly associated with online gambling activities. This report even surpasses the number of suspicious transactions related to corruption.

Coordinator of PPATK's Substantial Public Relations Group, M Natsir Kongah, stated that the number of suspicious financial transaction reports has increased throughout the year. In 2024, the number has already reached 14,475 reports, higher than in previous years.

"In 2022, there were 11,222 reports of suspicious transactions, while in 2023, the number surged to 24,850," Natsir said during an online discussion titled "Dying Poor Because of Gambling" on Saturday (June 15, 2024).

In 2023, PPATK recorded that online gambling transactions reached IDR 300 trillion. Meanwhile, in the first quarter of 2024, the amount skyrocketed to IDR 600 trillion.

According to PPATK data, online gambling accounts for 32.1% of the total suspicious financial transaction reports, making it the largest category. It is followed by fraud at 25.7% and other criminal acts at 12.3%. Meanwhile, corruption accounts for only 7% of the total reports.

"Online gambling has become a serious issue, and the government has stepped in to address it," Natsir added.

Number of Online Gamblers in Indonesia

The number of online gamblers in Indonesia is estimated to be in the millions. PPATK has recorded that 3.2 million people are involved in online gambling. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) considers the high demand as the main reason for the proliferation of online gambling in Indonesia.

"What I mean is, as long as demand is high, with 3.2 million Indonesians involved in gambling. If the demand remains high, supply will find its way through technology," said Director General of Public Information and Communication of Kominfo, Usman Kansong, in the same forum.

To address this issue, the government, through the Online Gambling Eradication Task Force newly established by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Friday (June 14), is pursuing two avenues: prevention and enforcement.

Government Measures to Eradicate Online Gambling

Firstly, through preventive measures involving education and literacy. Minister of Communication and Information Technology (MenKominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi, as the Daily Chairman of Prevention, has been tasked by Jokowi to educate the public to reduce the demand for online gambling.

Secondly, through enforcement measures led by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. The Directorate General of Informatics Applications of Kominfo is also involved in taking down online gambling websites or sites displaying online gambling content.

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