Technology is the main tool that can be used to combat this threat by detecting, blocking, and cutting off access to online gambling sites.
Online gambling has been rising in the country, in line with the increase in access to the Internet and the use of smartphones.
The negative impacts of online gambling are huge, including financial losses, psychological problems, and criminal acts.
The use of technology can be one of the keys to combating online gambling. Artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data analysis can be used to detect suspicious patterns and illegal activities on the Internet.
Benefits and challenges
Cybersecurity expert Pratama Persadha said the threat of online gambling is very serious and the technological approach can be used to tackle it.
"Utilizing technology to detect and block access to online gambling sites requires a multi-layer approach that involves various tools and techniques," he told ANTARA.
There are a number of effective ways to detect and block online gambling sites, such as blocking the domain name system (DNS) and IP addresses, not only on the landing page site, but also on the online gambling server.
The use of Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to check the content of data packets sent through the network can also help detect and block traffic related to online gambling.
In addition, monitoring of keywords is a crucial step since online gambling site operators often use figurative words or combinations of letters and numbers that may not be detected by the system.
Though it provides many solutions, there are also challenges in the use of technology for eradicating online gambling.
Persadha, who is also chairperson of the Communication and Information System Security Research Center (CISSReC), stated that online gambling sites often employ techniques such as domain rotation, encryption, and the use of proxy servers to avoid detection and blocking.
Thus, several blocking technologies may not be fully effective and get bypassed by users using a Virtual Private Network or Tor network.
The other challenge is that not all Internet service providers have the technical competency to apply blocking solutions effectively. There is also concern about the violation of user privacy and the principle of Internet freedom.
"Gambling servers also often operate in jurisdictions where (gambling) is legal so it is difficult to block access from countries where gambling is prohibited," he said.
AI utilization
Preventing and handling online gambling requires a holistic approach and advanced technology. The implementation of AI and Big Data analysis can significantly improve the capacity to monitor and tackle illegal online gambling.
AI can also be used to monitor Internet traffic and recognize suspicious behaviors. Through machine learning, AI can be trained to identify specific signs of illegal online gambling activity.
Big Data analysis enables the collection and analysis of data in large volumes from various sources, and in the context of online gambling, it includes financial transaction history, Internet access records, and social media interactions.
Using advanced analysis algorithms, this data can be processed to identify patterns that indicate illegal gambling.
The combination of AI and Big Data can also be used to develop predictive models that can identify illegal gambling sites before they become fully active.
By analyzing historical data and current trends, the model can predict when and where new illegal gambling sites may emerge so that the authorities can proactively take action to prevent such activities.
AI technology can also be used for sentiment analysis on social media and discussion forums since many illegal gambling operators utilize social media to promote their services.
By analyzing content and user sentiment, AI can identify illegal gambling marketing campaigns and take measures to delete or block content.
Internet service providers (ISPs) also play a crucial role in the effort to anticipate online gambling. As the main gateway for Internet users to access online content, ISPs have the technical and strategic capabilities to block or limit access to illegal gambling sites.
ISPs also have the ability to monitor Internet traffic and identify suspicious behavior patterns. Using Big Data analysis and AI tools, ISPs can detect activities that may be related to illegal online gambling.
They can also play a role in educating users about the risks of illegal online gambling through information spread through their website, e-mail, or public service announcements.
Government efforts
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics has integrated AI technology into its monitoring system.
The ministry's director general of public information and communication, Usman Kansong, said that his ministry has adopted AI technology in the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
The AI technology is working 24 hours to find and identify content that could potentially violate rules, including online gambling, pornography, and hate speech.
The AIS automatically marks detected content, and then a team from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics verifies whether the content is related to online gambling before deciding on further action.
When it comes to content on social media, the ministry cannot delete it immediately. It has to ask the platform manager to take down problematic content.
However, if the content is on a website or portal, the ministry has the authority to block or cut off access directly.
Even so, cutting off access and blocking is still not enough because the growth of online gambling sites is very rapid.
For that reason, AI is now not only used for searching online gambling content but also by relevant agencies and ministries to analyze transactions as well as receiver bank accounts so that illegal transactions can be prevented.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics Nezar Patria said that his ministry is cooperating with stakeholders, such as the National Police (Polri) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK), in the utilization of AI to eradicate online gambling.
The ministry has also strengthened the commitment of technology companies, including Google, to supporting online gambling eradication.
Technology has a vital role in the fight against online gambling in Indonesia. Through sustainable innovation and collaboration, the threat can be minimized so that the community can be protected from the negative impact of online gambling.
Law enforcement must also be carried out maximally so that the eradication of online gambling can be effective and have a deterrent effect on operators, agents, and gamblers.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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