Use Religious Approach to Eradicate Online Gambling
The Central Sharia Council (DSP) of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has recommended comprehensive measures to eradicate online gambling and usurious online loans, which are deemed to be mutually reinforcing and causing serious impacts on family life and the younger generation.
The National Ulama Discussion (Mudzakarah Nasional) of the DSP PKS was attended by representatives from several Islamic community organisations. This forum served as a space to discuss various issues facing the Ummah and the nation, as well as to formulate recommendations based on Sharia perspectives.
These recommendations are the result of the 2025 National Ulama Discussion of the PKS Central Sharia Council, as read by the Secretary of the PKS Central Sharia Council, KH. Mahmud Mahfudz, in the Delegation Room of the DPR RI Building, Jakarta, on Wednesday (16/9).
In the recommendations, Mahfudz stated that the DSP PKS explained that losses in online gambling are often covered by high-interest loans. Conversely, the trap of debt can drive individuals back to gambling to obtain money quickly. This cycle has the potential to erode family savings, disrupt household stability, and damage the work ethic of the younger generation.
According to Mahfudz, the DSP PKS also highlighted that online gambling more frequently ensnares men, while illegal online loans more heavily affect women. From a Sharia perspective, the prohibition of gambling and usury (riba) has been established in the fatwa of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).
“In light of these conditions, the DSP PKS presents several recommendations aimed at families, scholars, preaching institutions, as well as the government and policymakers,” said Mahfudz.
He added that the DSP PKS encourages families to act as the first line of defence in preventing family members from becoming entangled in online gambling or usurious online loans. Firstly, families need to instil religious values, work ethics, financial literacy, and discipline in debt repayment from an early age.
Secondly, families need to increase supervision of gadget usage, including the applications and advertisements that appear within them. Thirdly, family members who have already become entangled need to be supported until they stop and undergo a recovery process, rather than being ostracised.
“To the scholars and preaching institutions, the DSP PKS recommends strengthening religious education regarding the dangers of gambling and usury. Scholars and preaching institutions are requested to emphasise that the prohibition of gambling and usury does not lapse simply because there is mutual consent between both parties, even when conducted in small amounts,” he explained.
Furthermore, Mahfudz stated that the DSP PKS emphasised that debt collection involving threats, violence, or exposing shame is prohibited, even if the debt is legally valid. Preaching is also encouraged to strengthen messages regarding work ethic, patience, and contentment (kanaah), accompanied by examples of living simply.
The DSP PKS recommends a national campaign movement, “Do Not Seek Sustenance from Usury, Do Not Seek Sustenance from Gambling,” through mosques, boarding schools, study groups, and campuses, with particular attention to the younger generation and mothers. “Mosques are also expected to serve as support hubs for victims and as a means of distributing zakat to those who meet the criteria of gharim (debtors) and meet the requirements for zakat recipients,” he explained.
To the government and policymakers, the DSP PKS recommends more comprehensive law enforcement and prevention measures. The DSP PKS urges the government to permanently close online gambling platforms and illegal online loans, along with the accounts used to hold the funds. Tracing the flow of funds must also be conducted to identify the financiers.
Mahfud stated that strict action must also be taken against bookmakers, affiliates, and financiers, including those providing protection for such activities. On the other hand, the government is requested to provide protection to victims from collection terror and the misuse of personal data, while also opening access to recovery for those already entangled.
For licensed online loan providers, the DSP PKS recommends strengthening standards, including regulating interest rate and fee limits, borrower credit assessments, and advertising controls. As an alternative for community financing, the government is also encouraged to develop Sharia-compliant online financing, Sharia micro-credit, and Sharia cooperatives that are easily accessible.
“Finally, the dangers of gambling and usury need to be included in religious education materials and financial literacy in schools,” he concluded.
The recommendations position the eradication of online gambling and usurious online loans not merely as a matter of law enforcement, but as a matter of family resilience, education, financial literacy, preaching, and the provision of access to financing that aligns with Sharia principles.