"Specifically, I want to urge you to not gamble both offline and online," President Jokowi remarked while giving a press statement about the dangers of online gambling at the Merdeka Palace, as witnessed through the Presidential Secretariat YouTube on Wednesday.
The head of state called on the people to save their money or use it as business capital rather than for gambling.
The president drew attention to several cases of people's money running out and also cases of divorces due to gambling.
The president emphasized that a person's propensity for gambling can lead that individual to commit crimes and violence that may result in casualties.
"Gambling is not just risking money, not just a fun game with prizes, but it is risking the future of ourselves, of our family, and of our children," the head of state stressed.
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President Jokowi affirmed that the government continues to combat online gambling. The Communication and Informatics Ministry has, until now, taken down more than 2.1 million online gambling sites.
The online gambling task force, comprising several ministries, will also be established soon in a bid to speed up the eradication of online gambling.
The president affirmed that awareness and knowledge were the most important forms of defense in combating gambling.
"Therefore, I invite all religious leaders, community leaders, and the wider community to remind and look after each other and report if there are indications of online gambling activities," he emphasized.
The president made this statement in response to the recent crimes related to online gambling.
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Translator: Mentari G, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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