The Impact Of Online Gambling Is Currently Worse Than The Era Ali Sadikin

Illustration of the impact of online gambling. (Freepic)

JAKARTA The impact of online gambling that has hit the community is currently considered worse than when gambling was legalized in the Ali Sadikin era when he served as Governor of Jakarta for the period 1966 to 1977.

"Online gambling has a far worse impact than when we used to justify gambling practices, gambling houses in Indonesia, casinos," said Director of Research at the Center of Reform on Economic or Core, Piter Abdullah Redjalam, Sunday, June 16, 2024.

According to him, even though it was controversial, Ali Sadikin's policy at that time actually interpreted a form of openness, especially its effects in efforts to supervise. Because with such licensing practices, the government will be easier to monitor and establish rules of the game.

However, Piter does not deny that if the current government implements a policy of legalizing gambling, there will be widespread protests from the public, especially related to gambling practices that are considered a sin or violate religious rules.

"Because it can be interpreted as halalkan judi, even though it's not. What we do is similar to other sins forbidden by religion, many practices eventually still happen, such as prostitution. But this is precisely in the context of social control, preventing worse things," he explained.

"If (the Ali Sadikin-style policy) cannot be implemented, at least the government, in this case the online gambling task force, wants to be open in eradicating efforts. Including if there are elites involved, they even cover online gambling practices," concluded Piter.