Moh. Khory Alfarizi, Jakarta – Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi explained the ministry's measures to eradicate online gambling, specifically slot gambling. In addition to taking down the application and website of online gambling, the ministry also blocks gambling accounts.
Moreover, he said, the Directorate General of Informatics Application reported to Budi Arie that they block 800 gambling accounts each day. Budi Arie emphasized that his ministry will squash online gambling activities. "We are taking this seriously," said Minister Budi Arie during a press conference in his office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
The ministry also will insert education on online gambling in its digital literation program, since this phenomenon is part of technological advancement. "We will continue to implement digital literation for positive endeavors," said the minister.
Meanwhile, the minister believed apprehending the gambling actors is the responsibility of law enforcers. Thus, the Communication Ministry will coordinate with relevant agencies to consider the possible measures to be taken.
The Communication Ministry has taken down Higgs Domino Island, an online gambling application, from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
According to Budi Arie, from July 2018 to August 7, 2023, the ministry has taken down 886,719. Further, the ministry has taken down 42,622 online gambling-related content from July 17 to August 7, 2023.
The Communication Ministry, he said, is aware that the measures taken thus far have not resolved the online gaming issue.