Discourse on Providing Social Assistance to Online Gambling Victims.
The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy stated that online gambling victims have the potential to become new impoverished people and the government has a responsibility towards them. However, this discourse is still just a personal proposal and has not been discussed further with relevant ministries/institutions, especially those involved in the Online Gambling Eradication Task Force. Opinions on this discourse vary. Some parties criticize Menko PMK Muhadjir Effendy's statement, while others believe that providing social assistance can be a means of assistance from the government. However, there are also those who doubt that social assistance given to online gambling victims will instead be used for gambling again.
The government has also provided advocacy to online gambling victims and advised the Ministry of Social Affairs to provide guidance to those experiencing psychosocial disorders. In addition, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, does not agree with the discourse on providing social assistance to online gambling victims. However, President Joko Widodo has stated that the government will not provide social assistance budget funds to online gambling perpetrators or their families. Meanwhile, regarding the mechanism for providing social assistance to families affected by online gambling, this will be discussed with the Minister of Social Affairs. The names of online gambling victims will also be included in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) so that they are entitled to receive social assistance.
Conclusion
The discourse on providing social assistance to online gambling victims has generated pros and cons in society. Some parties support it on the grounds that the government has a moral obligation to help its citizens who are trapped in online gambling addiction. However, other parties justify that this can be considered as justification or support for these illegal activities. These two perspectives reflect the complexity of the problem and the need to find comprehensive and balanced solutions by involving various relevant stakeholders.
The trend of online gambling development in Indonesia has experienced a significant increase in recent years, driven by technological advances and increasingly widespread internet access. This activity has created a black market that benefits illegal business actors. Data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) revealed high figures in online gambling activity in Indonesia during 2017-2022, with transaction values reaching IDR 190 trillion.
Despite the discourse on providing social assistance to online gambling victims, the President has affirmed his approval to provide social assistance to online gambling perpetrators themselves and their families. The President's statement is in line with the stance of not supporting or facilitating illegal online gambling activities. Meanwhile, advocacy and training efforts are more directed at helping the recovery of the victims' conditions.
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