{
  "id": 16804033,
  "title": "‘My hands start itching’: Inside Indonesia’s online gambling addiction",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/my-hands-start-itching-inside-indonesias-online-gambling-addiction",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-27T22:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/my-hands-start-itching-inside-indonesias-online-gambling-addiction-6464871"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jakarta, Indonesia is grappling with an escalating online gambling addiction that has ensnared over 12 million citizens, primarily from impoverished backgrounds. Kibo, a 27-year-old motorcycle salesperson, is one of the many individuals battling this problem. Despite not having received his salary yet, he imagines using his earnings to play online gambling games, hoping to hit the jackpot or score a high payout. The allure of online gambling lies in the possibility of winning large sums of money from small initial bets, with some games offering multipliers that can multiply winnings exponentially. Kibo himself has lost around 30% of his monthly salary, which ranges from 6 to 7 million rupiah (approximately $330 to $388), on gambling activities. When he does win, he often wagers most of his winnings back into the games, unable to resist the urge to keep playing. This addiction is not unique to Kibo; millions of Indonesians, including minors, are exposed to online gambling, with about 570,000 individuals receiving government social aid programs. The Indonesian government has been attempting to control the illegal gambling industry, which has recently seen the arrest of 11 individuals allegedly running a gambling operation from a military housing complex. Despite these efforts, the industry remains robust, with authorities shutting down websites and arresting operators only to have them reappear almost immediately. The Indonesian Communications and Digital Affairs Ministry reported that between January and September 2024, 3.6 million gambling websites were taken down. Lower-income Indonesians, who often earn less than 5 million rupiah per month, are particularly vulnerable to this addiction, with many relying on the allure of quick wins and the promise of better rewards.",
  "summary": "More than 12 million Indonesians, many from lower-income households, have been drawn into online gambling. CNA speaks to several people struggling with addiction.",
  "key_points": [
    "Over 12 million Indonesians struggle with online gambling addiction.",
    "Kibo, a motorcycle salesperson, lost 30% of his monthly salary to gambling.",
    "Indonesian government has arrested 11 individuals in gambling operations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}