Online Gambling Addiction: Starting From Influence On Mental Health, To Relegation Of Human Resource Quality

Cengkareng Police Chief Kompol Ardhie Demastyo questioned online gambling operators during a raid in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, Sunday (15/1/2023). (Between/HO-West Jakarta Metro Police)

JAKARTA Online gambling practices in Indonesia are increasingly troubling. Although continued efforts have been made to eradicate, online gambling practices have never disappeared. Recently, as many as 866 online gambling suspects during 2022 to August 2023 were arrested by the Police. The arrests were made at the Bareskrim level and the ranks of the Regional Police.

"For the number of suspects, for 2022, we will secure 760 online gambling suspects with their respective roles. "Meanwhile, for 2023 (August), 106 (suspects)," said the Director of Cyber Crime at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Brigadier General Adi Vivid, quoted Thursday, August 31.

Online bookies are indiscriminate to prey on their victims. Starting from school children, students, to parents trapped in an online gambling circle. Even mothers and unemployed also cannot be separated from the target of bookies, as told by online gambling dealers who were arrested in the Karawang Regency area, West Java, recently.

Online gambling can make someone addicted. If this is the case, online gambling not only damages oneself, but also the relationship between online gambling addicts and the surrounding environment, including their own families. Even Indonesia is threatened with a shortage of quality human resources because of online gambling addiction.

Someone who has tried online gambling is quite difficult to let go. Moreover, if you have felt a victory from this one activity. The problem of the difficulty of controlling yourself after online gambling addiction is recognized not only by one or two people, but almost all of them. Not only is the savings sold out, the relationship with friends and even family is messy if you are addicted.

Gambling addiction can have a negative impact on various aspects of a person's life, including physical and mental health, social relationships, finance, work, and quality of life as a whole.

According to clinical and forensic psychologist Kasandra Putranto, gambling addiction also known as gambling disorders, is a condition when a person cannot control the urge to gamble even though he is aware of the negative impacts he has. Gambling addiction can also affect a person's mental balance.

Gambling can provide a strong sensation and encouragement, especially when a person wins money or gets emotional satisfaction. Repeated gambling activities can affect the reward system in the brain, which strengthens gambling behavior," Kasandra told VOI.

Gambling has actually been around for a long time, including in Indonesia, even though it is declared an illegal activity. No matter how big the effort to eliminate gambling, this activity has never been completely confirmed.

Along with the development of the times, conventional gambling has also turned into online gambling, making it easier for the public to reach. One of the most popular online gambling in the community is slot gambling. The development of slot gambling that looks so massive is one of them because of the ease of access. People only need computers, smartphones, or tablets with an internet connection to be able to play slot gambling.

"Judi slot offers a variety of interesting themes and designs. The slot of the game has interesting graphics, entertaining sound effects, and captivating animations. slot gambling also offers a great chance of winning," Kasandra added about the rise of slot gambling addicts in the country.

Online gambling practices are increasingly circulating in Indonesia. With only smartphone capital and tens of thousands of money, many people are tempted to try their luck through online gambling.

Even though the long-term effects of online gambling actors are not only detrimental to themselves and their families, but also have the potential to cause reduced quality human resources (HR) that can make a positive contribution to the country. In fact, quality human resources are important for the progress and growth of a country.

Quality human resources are important to build a strong economy, innovation, and a civilized society. Quality human resources are also needed to face global competition and encourage sustainable economic growth.

People who are involved in excessive online gambling can suffer significant financial losses, which in their partners can have a negative impact on the family economy and even on the national economy. This can have a negative impact on the quality of human resources in Indonesia as a whole, "The woman who was born on January 17, 1968 explained.

"If a country experiences a quality human resource shortage, this can limit the country's ability to produce the innovations needed in overcoming social, economic and environmental challenges," Kasandra continued.

Then, how do you recover from online gambling addiction? According to Kasandra, being separated from gambling is very difficult. He invites the community, especially parents, to instill in children from an early age to avoid potential addiction from an early age. Handling addiction is very difficult and not short, even in some cases it requires expert assistance.

Placing oneself into an environment that is not involved in gambling will also greatly affect a person's personality.

Look for activities that attract and provide satisfaction. Stay away from casinos, friends involved in gambling, or media that promote gambling. Find psychological support or counseling if needed to help overcome addiction and change negative thoughts," Kasandra said.