According to Ismail, the ministry’s acting director general of infrastructure, the meeting focused on two viable steps against online gambling.
“The first one is to educate the public in a bid to keep people away from the (economic) hardships online gambling activities may bring,” he remarked in Jakarta on Tuesday.
In view of this, Ismail explained that the government would collaborate with cellular operators to carry out an SMS blast. The initiative will be executed soon once a technical team finalizes the content of the messages to be spread.
Elaborating on the second step discussed, the official affirmed that the government would strive to prevent people from using the new online gambling payment method of transferring phone credits.
“We will follow up on this matter with technical meetings to identify further actions in a more detailed manner,” he noted.
Furthermore, the director general underscored that cellular operators joining today’s meeting have conveyed their commitment to supporting the government in its war against online gambling.
On the same occasion, PPATK Deputy for Analysis and Investigation, Danang Tri Hartono, highlighted that his office had managed to secure complete data on online gamblers and the flow of money used in their transactions.
As of the third quarter of 2024, the value of transactions revolving around online gambling had hit Rp283 trillion (US$17.7 billion).
He also noted that the PPATK and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs have explored the potential for cooperation in sending a warning to those identified as online gamblers to deter them from continuing their illegal acts.
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Translator: Fathur R, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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