MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Medan Mayor Rico Waas has reaffirmed his firm stance against online gambling, announcing the dismissal of a district head (camat) found to be involved in illegal online gambling activities.
The statement was made in the presence of Indonesia's Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, during a public awareness event titled "Indonesia.go.id Menyapa Medan: Gass Pol Tolak Judol", held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Kembar Café, Jalan Sakti Lubis, Medan Amplas.
The campaign, carried under the slogan "GASS POL Tolak Judol! Jauhi Judi – Anak Medan Pilih Masa Depan, Bukan Judi Online", aims to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of online gambling and encourage them to choose a better future free from addiction.
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Mayor Rico Waas emphasized that online gambling has become a widespread issue affecting all segments of society, from schoolchildren to government officials. He stressed that the Medan City Government will take no tolerance toward any officials involved in such activities.
"Technology creates loopholes that allow harmful content to spread, including online gambling, which has already reached elementary school students, teenagers, and working adults," Rico said.
He also warned of the severe social consequences of gambling addiction, noting its potential to destroy families and mental well-being.
Read Also: Medan and Australia Strengthen Cooperation in Investment and Education "Many marriages break down because of online gambling. Its addictive nature is comparable to drugs—it damages mental health and family life," he added.
Children Increasingly Exposed to Digital Gambling Risks
Minister Meutya Hafid described online gambling as a serious national issue that is increasingly affecting children. According to her data, nearly 200,000 children have been exposed, including around 80,000 under the age of ten.
"The government is not only focusing on blocking and removing gambling sites, but also strengthening digital literacy and public education," she said.
Read Also: North Sumatra DPRD Adopts 2025 LKPj Recommendations Meutya emphasized that efforts to combat online gambling must not lead to stigmatization of victims, but rather serve as a collective learning process for society.
Cross-Sector Collaboration Needed to Combat Online Gambling
The minister also stressed that eliminating online gambling requires strong collaboration across sectors, including law enforcement agencies, banks, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and digital platforms.
"Perpetrators must be prosecuted; otherwise, new sites will continue to emerge," she stated.
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REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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