臺北新聞熱綫

(AsiaGameHub) –   Social media companies should be responsible for covering the costs of treating Indonesian citizens for gambling addiction, according to lawmakers.

These calls originate from the policy-making People’s Representative Council, as reported by the Indonesian media outlet Inibalikpapan, following a series of disturbing, high-profile crimes linked to gambling.

Lawmakers stated that online gambling addiction is leading to terrible tragedies and urged social media platforms to demonstrate accountability by contributing to the funding of rehabilitation centers.

Council member Abdullah, also known as Gus Abduh, who serves on the commission and represents Central Java’s sixth electoral district, asserted that social media platforms are “profiting from [gambling-related] web traffic.”

Abduh stated, “[Social media operators] must not be allowed to benefit from traffic, either directly or indirectly. They must contribute to the funding of rehabilitation centers for […] addicts.”

Social Media Firms: Gambling Addiction Accountability Needed

In recent weeks, Indonesian newspapers have been extensively covering online gambling-related crime.

Authorities in Makassar reported that a man attacked his wife and cousin with a machete when they attempted to prevent him from gambling online.

In Lahat, police have charged a suspect with the murder of their mother after she discovered them stealing gold to fund their online gambling activities.

Meanwhile, the head of a local government body in Medan Maimun is accused of embezzling up to IDR 1.2 billion ($70,000) in public funds to support their gambling habits.

Abduh characterized the issue as having escalated beyond a mere “legal” concern to become a “national social and economic crisis.”

The lawmaker recommended that the government draw inspiration from countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

He noted that both the US and UK have “integrated a rehabilitative approach.” The lawmaker explained that instead of “simply blocking online casino sites,” Jakarta would benefit from adopting a similar strategy.

“We need regulations that require social media operations to help create a national rehabilitation system for online gambling addicts,” he proposed.

Despite a police investigation that has resulted in the jailing of many young female Instagram influencers, social media personalities continue to promote online casinos on their platforms.

Limited Resources Available

Abduh pointed out that the “massive amount of funds circulating” within the online casino sector is disproportionate to the number of available rehabilitation facilities.

He stated that the state currently offers only “limited rehabilitation services” for individuals struggling with online gambling addiction.

“The state must intervene,” the lawmaker concluded. “Online gambling addiction is a behavioral disorder that robs people of self-control. If they are not rehabilitated, we will see more criminals emerge.”

According to data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center, Indonesians deposit as much as $58.39 million annually on online gambling sites.

This occurs despite a comprehensive crackdown that has led to the blocking of tens of thousands of citizens’ bank accounts.

The center, which is Indonesia’s leading anti-money laundering agency, reports that all of these accounts belong to individuals who have placed bets on online casino sites.

Civil law courts across the country also indicate that online gambling addiction is becoming a primary reason for divorce.

Many of the nation’s leading psychiatric hospitals have reported a significant increase in both inpatient and outpatient cases of gambling addiction.