Editor Indonesia, Jakarta – The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has once again conveyed alarming findings regarding the widespread practice of online gambling (judol) in Indonesia.
Based on the latest data collected in the first quarter of 2025 (January to March), PPATK revealed that hundreds of children under the age of 17 have also been identified as active players in this illicit activity.
The Head of PPATK, Ivan Yustiavandana, conveyed this information to the media at the National Police Headquarters on Wednesday (May 7, 2025).
“If we look at the total players in Q1 January to March 2025, there are 1,066,000 players who played, who carried out transactions related to online gambling,” Ivan revealed.
Furthermore, Ivan presented very concerning data regarding the age of the players.
“We see the statistics of online gambling players, up to Q1 2025, those under 17 years old who played in 2025 alone, from January to March, have already reached nearly 400 players under the age of 17,” he added with a concerned tone.
This finding is certainly a sharp spotlight considering the negative impacts of online gambling that can damage the future of the younger generation. The involvement of underage children in this illegal activity indicates weak supervision and their vulnerability to the enticement of online gambling practices.
In addition, PPATK also highlighted that the majority of online gambling players come from low-income communities.
“71% are our brothers and sisters who are indeed still in need, where the income is actually needed for other necessities,” Ivan explained.
This shows that online gambling does not only target certain groups but also traps people who should be using their income for basic needs.
Overall, the value of online gambling deposit transactions in the first quarter of 2025 has reached a fantastic figure of Rp 6.2 trillion. This data further reinforces the urgency of serious handling of the increasingly worrying online gambling problem.
The largest age group involved in online gambling is the 20 to 30-year-old range, reaching 396,000 people, followed by the 31 to 40-year-old group with 395,000 people. However, the finding of hundreds of underage children also playing judol is a particular concern that requires immediate action from various parties.
“So, as the Head of Criminal Investigation Agency of the National Police said earlier, this has targeted any age segment and any profession,” Ivan concluded. (Didi)
