Legal Literacy- This article discusses the complexities of online gambling addiction issues in Indonesia and the discourse on providing social assistance to the victims. Although there are arguments in favor because it is considered a moral responsibility of the government, concerns also arise regarding the potential misuse of this assistance which could worsen addiction. In addition, the phenomenon of online gambling in Indonesia, which is growing rapidly, also highlights the expansion of internet access and anonymity that facilitates this activity, posing new challenges in law enforcement and social protection. This discussion underscores the need for solutions that combine legal, rehabilitation, and strict social assistance approaches to address this problem effectively.

Introduction

The polemic regarding the provision of social assistance to online gambling victims has become a hot topic among the public lately. This idea emerged as an effort to help those who are caught in the trap of online gambling addiction, which often ends in financial and social problems. However, like two sides of a coin, this discourse has also sparked fierce pros and cons in various circles. Not a few people think that online gambling is a complex bad habit of society, where victims are often trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction that is difficult to break free from.

Some people believe that the government has a moral obligation to protect its citizens from the bad effects of online gambling which is increasingly widespread. By providing assistance, the government not only helps the victims financially, but also shows its commitment to combating the social problem. They believe that social assistance can be a safety net for victims, helping them recover from financial difficulties and restore their lives back on track.

On the other hand, many people also express concerns about the potential provision of social assistance. They argue that online gambling is an illegal act that should not be tolerated by the government. By providing assistance, there are concerns that the government seems to justify or even support the activity, which is certainly contrary to ongoing law enforcement efforts. They argue that giving funds to online gambling victims can actually reinforce their addiction and encourage irresponsible behavior. In addition, the provision of this social assistance also absorbs funding sources that can drain the state budget.

Furthermore, some parties assume that providing social assistance to online gambling victims can create a dangerous situation, where people may demand similar assistance for victims of other illegal activities, such as drugs or theft. This could open the door to endless demands and ultimately burden the country's social welfare system. However, there are also parties who are trying to find a middle ground. They propose that social assistance be provided with strict requirements, such as proving addiction and commitment to undergoing therapy or rehabilitation. Thus, assistance is not only financial, but also encourages sustainable recovery efforts. In addition, there is a proposal to allocate some of the social assistance funds for prevention and education programs regarding the dangers of online gambling. By raising public awareness, it is hoped that it can reduce the number of new victims and create a healthier and safer environment for future generations.

Behind the pros and cons, it shows the need for the involvement of all stakeholders, including the government, non-governmental organizations, academics and civil society, to find comprehensive and balanced solutions. Only with close collaboration and a holistic approach can the problem of online gambling be resolved effectively and its negative impacts can be minimized.

In recent years, the development of online gambling in Indonesia has shown significant progress. Driven by technological advances and increasingly widespread internet access, online gambling has become a new trend that attracts many people, especially among young people. This phenomenon reflects a shift in people's lifestyles that are increasingly modern and digitally connected. By simply using a mobile device or computer, a person can easily engage in various types of gambling games, from sports betting to virtual casino games. The availability of applications and websites that offer these services has created an environment that facilitates gambling activities.

The online gambling trend is also driven by the anonymity and privacy offered by illegal platforms with the ease of access offered. By using a pseudonym or false identity, players can engage in gambling activities without having to reveal their true identity. This is attractive to those who want to maintain privacy or avoid the social stigma associated with gambling. This activity has created a lucrative black market for illegal business actors.

According to data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), during the period 2017-2022 there were around 157 million online gambling transactions in Indonesia with a total turnover value reaching IDR 190 trillion. The total public participation that can be identified during the period 2017 to 2022 reached more than IDR 52 T. Overall, PPATK detected 2,761,828 parties participating in online gambling games, 2,190,447 of whom were carrying out betting activities with small nominals below IDR 100,000. According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the Poverty Line in March 2023 was recorded at IDR 550,458/capita/month. The composition consists of the Food Poverty Line IDR 408,522 (74.21 percent) and the Non-Food Poverty Line IDR 141,936 (25.79 percent).

In a global context, Indonesia is not the only country facing challenges related to the development of online gambling. Many other countries are also trying to regulate and limit this activity in their security. Therefore, international cooperation and information exchange between countries is very important to overcome this problem effectively. Ultimately, the trend in the development of online gambling in Indonesia reflects the challenges faced by modern society in dealing with the negative impacts of technological advances. Efforts are needed that involve various stakeholders, including the government, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and the organizations themselves, to address this problem effectively and ensure that technological developments do not sacrifice social values and community welfare.

Social Assistance Policies in Indonesia

Social assistance is one of the important programs run by the Indonesian government in an effort to improve the welfare of the community, especially for vulnerable and underprivileged groups. This program aims to help ease the burden of life and provide support for those in need, so that they can meet their basic needs better. Overall, the social assistance program in Indonesia is an important effort in realizing social welfare and providing support for vulnerable groups in society. By continuing to optimize the implementation of this social assistance program, it is hoped that a more decent life can be enjoyed by all Indonesian citizens.

In accordance with Presidential Regulation No. 9 of 2015, concerning the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture is responsible for coordinating, synchronizing and controlling human and cultural development affairs. One of these affairs reaches the people's welfare program, through the provision of social assistance to the community. This assistance is provided to meet and guarantee basic needs and improve the living standards of social assistance recipients. This is in line with the mandate in Presidential Instruction Number 7 of 2014 concerning the Implementation of the Prosperous Family Savings Program, the Smart Indonesia Program, and the Healthy Indonesia Program for Building Productive Families.

The social assistance program for the people includes the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP), the National Health Insurance Program (JKN-KIS), the Family Hope Program (PKH), & Bansos Rastra/ Non-Cash Food Assistance. In addition to the programs above, the government also provides other social assistance such as decent housing assistance, natural disaster victim assistance, and assistance for isolated indigenous communities. The aim is to ensure that no citizens are left behind in efforts to improve community welfare.

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 poor 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 related ministries/agencies, especially those involved in the Online Gambling Eradication Task Force. Opinions regarding this discourse also vary. A number of parties criticized the statement of Menko PMK Muhadjir Effendy, while others considered that the provision of social assistance could be a means of assistance from the government. However, there are also those who doubt that the social assistance provided to online gambling victims will instead be used to gamble 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, others justify that this can be seen as justification or support for these illegal activities. These two points of view reflect the complexity of the problem and the need to find comprehensive and balanced solutions involving various related 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 lucrative black market for illegal business actors. Data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) revealed high figures in online gambling activities 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 confirmed his approval to provide social assistance to online gambling perpetrators themselves and their families. This statement by the President is in line with the attitude of not supporting or facilitating illegal online gambling activities. Meanwhile, advocacy and training efforts are more directed at helping to restore the condition of the victims.