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Online Gambling: A Global Criminal Business Amidst Indonesia's Digital Transformation
Many online gambling cases in Indonesia target vulnerable low- and middle-income groups.Merdeka.com 03 Oct 2025
At the Global Cybersecurity Forum 2025, held on October 1-2 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Richard Staynings, Professor of Cybersecurity – ITC & Healthcare Informatics at the University of Denver, explained that online gambling has long been a favorite tool for cybercriminal groups.
"The internet completely disregards national boundaries, and that's allowed online gambling to flourish. It's used not only for gaming but also for money laundering from various criminal activities," he told merdeka.com.
In Indonesia, online gambling platforms often target low- to middle-income individuals. Offers of initial bonuses, illusory wins, and the lure of "getting rich quick" are enticing entry points. However, behind the scenes, the mechanisms are designed to ensure players' money is never returned.
"They deliberately target people with limited knowledge of cyber risks. Players are given the impression they've won, then directed to deposit their own money. Ultimately, the funds are withheld and never paid out," Staynings explained.
This pattern isn't unique to Indonesia. He believes global syndicates deliberately target the most vulnerable groups. This phenomenon reveals a new facet of cybercrime: it's not just about technology, but also about manipulating social psychology.
In Indonesia, online gambling platforms often target low- to middle-income individuals. Offers of initial bonuses, illusory wins, and the lure of "getting rich quick" are enticing entry points. However, behind the scenes, the mechanisms are designed to ensure players' money is never returned.
"They deliberately target people with limited knowledge of cyber risks. Players are given the impression they've won, then directed to deposit their own money. Ultimately, the funds are withheld and never paid out," Staynings explained.
This pattern isn't unique to Indonesia. He believes global syndicates deliberately target the most vulnerable groups. This phenomenon reveals a new facet of cybercrime: it's not just about technology, but also about manipulating social psychology.
Richard Staynings merdeka.com
Regulatory and Educational Challenges
Indonesia is currently at a crossroads. On the one hand, digitalization is driving the economy. However, on the other hand, expanding internet access is opening up opportunities for transnational criminals.“The rapid growth of Indonesia's digital population must be balanced with high cyber awareness. The government's job is to ensure the public understands the risks and how to protect themselves,” said Staynings.
He cited the example of several countries in Asia that have successfully suppressed online gambling through massive education campaigns. Digital literacy has proven more effective than simply blocking sites.
“We need to educate the public about the dangers of online crime. Gambling is just one facet of a broader cyber threat,” he added.
Ransomware and Mobile Apps: The Next Threat
Besides online gambling, another increasingly prominent threat is ransomware targeting mobile apps. With Indonesia's population increasingly reliant on smartphones, these attacks pose a significant challenge."Small phone screens make users more easily distracted. They respond to instant messages without thinking, and that's what cybercriminals exploit," Staynings explained.
Even more worrying, around 1.98% of Android apps on the Play Store are still detected as having security vulnerabilities. He believes the responsibility lies with both platform providers and app developers to ensure user security and privacy.
The Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs is seriously strengthening digital literacy to prevent online gambling in the Riau Islands, given that thousands of residents are suspected of being involved. Learn about the government's efforts to address this serious threat! Merdeka.com
The Long Road Ahead
Fighting online gambling and other cybercrimes is not an overnight task. It requires synergy between regulation, technology, and society.For Indonesia, which is pursuing digital transformation, this challenge demands a holistic approach: public education, strong regulations, and collaboration between the government and the private sector. As Staynings emphasized, "Cybersecurity is not just about technology, but also about public awareness and preparedness.
Indonesia, with more than 220 million internet users, is one of the largest markets and a fertile breeding ground for global criminal syndicates.
"This is not just a legal issue, but a global issue. Indonesia has a huge opportunity to strengthen its cyber resilience, provided it can learn from other countries that have already faced this problem," Staynings concluded.
Digital transformation opens many doors of opportunity, but also pitfalls. Without adequate awareness and protection, the public will become victims in a larger game orchestrated by cross-border cybercriminals.
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