Budi Arie Setiadi Threatens Spreaders of Online Gambling Content, All Will Be Lawfully Charged

Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi. (photo: doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi reminded influencers and public figures not to spread online gambling content. The problem is that if they still dare to do so they will be legally charged.

He stressed that the perpetrators of spreading online gambling or slot content had many ways to find their victims. Starting from spreading using applications under the guise of games, donating to live streamers, to SMS blasts, which are still frequently encountered by the public.

Regarding the dissemination of content via SMS blasts, the Minister of Communication and Informatics said he would coordinate with cellular operators to immediately block the number if online gambling content was found.

However, cellular operators say that most or almost all online gambling content via SMS blasts comes from foreign numbers. "I asked the mobile phone operator, they said they didn't have one. It's true because the numbers are from abroad," said the Minister of Communication and Information in his press conference on Tuesday, August 8 at the Ministry of Communication and Information office.

Furthermore, Budi Arie Setiadi also stated that influencers who helped promote online gambling content on their social media would immediately be followed up by police officers.

"There are several influencers who have been executed by the police, this is serious, so I urge influencers and public figures not to promote slot gambling because they will definitely face law enforcement officers," said Budi.

However, Budi also appealed to the general public to remain vigilant when they want to promote slot gambling. Because according to Menkominfo, the impact of this slot gambling is very detrimental to society.

"What's even sadder is that the victims are small communities. Imagine Rp. 30,000 a day for slot gambling, Rp. 900,000 a month. And the victims reach small children. So the people are very disadvantaged, I'm sorry," concluded Budi Arie Setiadi.