Indonesia Pushes for Teen Rehabilitation from Online Gambling

The fight against illegal gambling is intensifying in countries across Asia. With many prohibiting land-based and online gambling activities, illegal offering is a constant threat that results in losses and even affects children.

Only recently, thousands of bank accounts, suspected of links to iGaming activities were suspected in Indonesia. Now, the country’s Youth and Sports Ministry tabled an innovative proposal that seeks to provide treatment and support, helping teenagers exposed to online gambling.

The Country Plans to Support Teenagers

On Monday, the Ministry’s deputy for youth empowerment, Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh, spoke about the importance of providing support and protection to vulnerable young adults. Arguing that such individuals are in fact victims of a system that isn’t doing enough to protect them, the deputy said that a prime strategy will be rehabilitation rather than punishment, Indonesian news agency Antara reports.

Sholeh pointed to the gambling sector’s lucrative promises of big winnings and unlimited opportunities. He explained that in some cases, young adults would engage in gambling as a way to try to earn money to pay for college fees or other expenses. Sholeh told the story of a 23-year-old man from West Sumatra who developed an online gambling website.

This website ultimately brought him a whopping income of RP 200 million or approximately $12,600 per month. In that line of thought, the deputy said: “Some of them might start online gambling just for fun.”

“They (children affected by gambling) are victims of a system that is not protecting them enough. Hence, the main strategy to address them should be through rehabilitation instead of punitive approaches.“

Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh, deputy for youth empowerment at Indonesia’s Youth and Sports Ministry

Young Adults to Seize Legal Digital Opportunities

Per the government’s campaign, young people will be encouraged to develop as entrepreneurs but in legal sectors online such as YouTube. Becoming content creators, or engaging in other digital businesses, young people can “relax on the beach while the money comes to them,” as explained by Sholeh.

Under Indonesia’s plan, young people would benefit from education and digital entrepreneurship classes, as well as creativity competitions. Vital support in cases of break-ups, financial struggles with college fee payments or gambling is also going to be provided.

The country’s plan to leverage youth empowerment programs seeks to develop future generations with a strong digital conscience. Those generations are expected to bring meaningful changes by using technology for good rather than falling into the trap of online gambling or other predatory practices on the internet.