An epidemic of online gambling is targeting Indonesia's youth, with nearly one million minors now believed to have developed gambling habits, according to a report by France 24.
Local authorities state that the crisis has reached a critical level, noting that more than 80,000 of these online players are children under the age of 10.
For many of these youngsters, the activity has transitioned from a pastime into a dangerous obsession. The outlet reported that the drive toward these addictive sites is often fueled by a desperate desire for a quick and easy way to escape poverty.
A growing national crisis
Despite Indonesia being a Muslim-majority country where gambling is strictly illegal, the digital platforms continue to penetrate the lives of the youngest citizens.
The consequences of this unregulated digital surge have turned fatal. In 2024, Indonesia recorded dozens of suicides directly linked to the impact of online gambling.
France 24's report highlights the gravity of the situation, describing the phenomenon as a 'scourge' affecting the nation's most vulnerable populations.
