Leaders float idea of legal betting

Leaders float idea of legal betting

Iman Dwianto Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

The situation at the "M" arcade in downtown Surabaya was rather
different from usual on Monday night. There were only a few
gamblers on the premises, which is famous for roulette. There
were also very few cars parked in the building's vicinity.

Usually, the center is crowded.

"Visitors have become rare since the National Police launched
their nationwide gambling crackdown," said an employee of the
center.

The center was one of a few gambling centers in the city that
were still operating on Monday night, despite the crackdown
launched by National Police chief Gen. Sutanto last week.

Having allowed the arcades to operate despite the antigambling
campaign, the police have been criticized for being half-hearted
in fighting gambling. "The commitment to eradicating gambling has
to be total, but sadly the police are failing to show this kind
of commitment," said Ali Maschan Moesa, the head of Nadhlatul
Ulama's East Java branch.

Ali said he was concerned by the failure as it was essential
for the police to come down on gambling as it had reached
epidemic proportions in Surabaya. Not only adults, but children
were also involved in gambling.

The Jakarta Post observed both children and students playing
roulette. By betting Rp 500 (5 U.S. cents), one can win up to Rp
60,000 (US$6.25)

As gambling is deep seated in society, the police and public
needed to consider what was the best way of dealing with the
vice, said Ali.

As it appeared impossible to eradicate gambling completely
from society, Ali proposed that the government restrict it to
certain defined locations.

"We could start with the government building a casino, but
with tight rules on who can enter it," said Ali, adding that the
casino should be located far removed from residential areas.

The newly elected deputy mayor of Surabaya, Arief Affandi,
supported the view. He believed that Surabaya people would accept
the establishment of a casino.

Surabaya was also a port city that could easily be accessed by
tourists wishing to gamble.

"In my view, a casino should be built near the bridge that
will link Surabaya and Madura," said Arief.

Arief acknowledged that the idea would draw strong opposition
from various quarters in the province, especially conservatives.
But if adopted, it would benefit development in Surabaya. "The
government can obtain money by imposing high taxes on the casino,
and the money could then be used for development projects," said
Arief.