Life's a lottery for many Jakartans, rich and poor alike
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The following is the first of a series of reports on gambling in the capital, which is a common activity here despite its prohibition under the Criminal Code.
With togel (lottery) ticket books in hand, Bambang, 33, prepares to greet three men who, as he can just make out from the window, are regular visitors to his house.
"I got a lot of passengers today, so I will bet 15 pairs of numbers for tomorrow's lottery. Write down my numbers correctly so that I have a good chance," said Nugroho, 38, an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver.
Bambang wrote down each pair of numbers and collected the money, but all the while his eyes were fixed on the window.
Suddenly, his sister, Yanti, 35, rushed into the room, and told Bambang to stash the tickets and money in a secret place.
"The police are coming. Please disperse," Yanti shouted as she headed out the door.
Bambang wrapped up his belongings while telling his customers to make themselves scarce.
"We have to be careful in selecting customers as the police could buy tickets then arrest us. We would have to pay the police a lot if that happened," Bambang told The Jakarta Post at his house in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta recently.
Bambang is one of three togel agents in the neighborhood, which has a population of less than 1,000 people.
Each agent has hundreds of customers daily, as lottery "addicts" buy tickets from each agent.
"We get a 35 percent commission or around three million rupiah a day," Bambang boasted.
Gambling takes many forms in the capital and continues to be backed by well-known figures. In fact, former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin recently renewed his call for its legalization.
According to Article 303 of the Criminal Code and Article 2 of Law No. 7/1974, gambling operators and gamblers could face up to 10 years' imprisonment and a Rp 25,000 fine if found guilty.
While Ali was governor from 1966 to 1977, gambling and prostitution were "localized" but lawful activities, but the policy was scrapped when his tenure ended.
Despite the ban, and the police's claim that they conduct regular raids to rid the city of gambling, people who enjoy a bet have numerous options open to them in this city of nine million people.
Togel, dice and card games are more popular among the poor, while wealthier people have a preference for casinos or Mickey Mouse gambling machines. Most of the city's gambling dens are found in West, Central and North Jakarta.
Iwan, 40, a small-time gambler in Klender, East Jakarta, who plays cards with his friends, said he used to play almost every night with a select group at a friend's house.
"We bet three to four thousand rupiah a round. I lose up to two hundred thousand on any given night. But sometimes I win," he told the Post.
Iwan, 43, a big-time gambler, who previously frequented several casinos in Kota, West Jakarta, said that he could win hundreds of millions of rupiah one night, but might lose his house and car the next.
"It's a fact that casinos operate in Jakarta. But don't expect to walk in off the street if you're not a regular, or not accompanied by a familiar face," he told the Post in front of a casino on Jl. Hayam Wuruk, West Jakarta.
Two armed guards stood at the casino's entrance gate while two others observed the front door.
"This door is just a camouflage. You will enter a long corridor before you reach another building. There, you can indulge in all sorts of gambling activities," Iwan said.
He said that he had never been bothered by the police though he had visited many casinos.
"Several police officers actually protect us. I think casino owners have gotten them on side," he said.
City police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said recently he had no idea there were casinos and gambling dens in the city.
"You tell us where, and we will raid them. So far, we have received false information only," he said.