Communications Minister: 200,000 Children Exposed to Online Gambling, 10,000 Under 10 Years Old

JAKARTA – The Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi), Meutya Hafid, has revealed that almost 200,000 Indonesian children have been exposed to online gambling (judol), including around 80,000 children under 10 years old. This figure serves as a serious alarm for the future of the nation’s generations.

Meutya stressed that online gambling is not just digital entertainment, but a serious threat that destroys family economies, triggers domestic violence, fractures social relationships, and ruins children’s futures.

“Online gambling is a scam whose system ensures players almost always lose and suffer in the long term. Therefore, we all must become an educational vanguard, reminding each other, and protecting our families and children from the proliferation of this illegal practice,” said Meutya in her statement on Thursday (14/5/2026).

According to her, eradicating online gambling cannot rely solely on cutting access and legal enforcement. The government continues to strengthen digital literacy and involves the entire society as the main fortress of prevention.

“We are not only closing access or conducting takedowns. The most important thing is to reach the wider public with these facts, so that awareness grows from within families and communities,” she stated.