Online Gambling Addiction Threatens Students’ Financial and Mental Well-Being, Indonesian Study Finds
Online gambling has become a widespread problem among university students in Ruteng City, East Nusa Tenggara, with serious consequences for their financial stability, mental health, academic performance, and social relationships. That is the conclusion of a study conducted by Laurentius Ni and Avelina Arsi from Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng, Indonesia. Published in 2026 in the International Journal of Contemporary Sciences (IJCS), the research found that 83 percent of surveyed students had participated in online gambling, highlighting an urgent need for universities, families, communities, and policymakers to strengthen prevention, education, and psychological support for young adults.
Online Gambling Is Expanding Beyond Major Cities
The rapid growth of smartphones, digital payment systems, and internet access has transformed online gambling into one of Indonesia's fastest-growing social challenges. Unlike conventional gambling, digital gambling platforms are available at any time through mobile devices, allowing users to place bets privately with only a few clicks.
Indonesia has intensified efforts to combat online gambling by blocking millions of gambling-related websites and strengthening law enforcement. However, gambling operators continue to adapt through mirror websites, social media promotion, and digital payment systems, making the activity increasingly accessible to young people.
College students are considered particularly vulnerable because they often experience academic pressure, financial limitations, social influence, and emotional stress during early adulthood. These conditions make promises of quick financial gains and instant entertainment especially attractive despite the significant risks involved.
A Unique Perspective from Ruteng City
Most previous Indonesian studies have focused on students in large metropolitan areas. This research instead examined university students in Ruteng City, a mountainous town in East Nusa Tenggara where Catholic values, traditional Manggarai culture, and strong community relationships continue to shape daily life.
According to the researchers, the study reveals an important contradiction. While students publicly respect cultural and religious norms that reject gambling, many privately participate in online gambling through smartphones without the knowledge of families, lecturers, or religious leaders.
Another notable finding is that 72.3 percent of respondents were students in the Primary School Teacher Education (PGSD) program, meaning many future elementary school teachers are involved in online gambling. The researchers describe this as an important ethical concern because teachers are expected to become role models who promote honesty, discipline, and integrity.
How the Research Was Conducted
The study used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews.
A total of 83 active university students from several higher education institutions in Ruteng participated in the research. Respondents completed structured questionnaires covering demographic information, gambling behavior, motivations, financial spending, academic effects, and psychological well-being.
Researchers then conducted in-depth interviews with selected participants to better understand their personal experiences, emotional struggles, financial problems, and barriers to seeking professional help.
Survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while interview data were examined through thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and personal narratives.
Key Findings
The study presents several findings that illustrate the growing impact of online gambling among university students.
Among the most significant results are:
- 83 percent of respondents admitted they had participated in online gambling.
- 88 percent reported that they only began gambling recently, suggesting rapid growth of online gambling among students.
- The most popular gambling platform was online dingdong games (50.6 percent), followed by online slot games (24.1 percent), sports betting (15.7 percent), and online card games (9.6 percent).
- Most students spent less than IDR 100,000 per month, creating the false impression that gambling was financially harmless. Nevertheless, interviews showed that repeated small transactions often accumulated into significant financial losses.
- Students commonly financed gambling using part-time income (44.6 percent) or money provided by their parents (38.6 percent), while some admitted borrowing money or hiding the source of their gambling funds.
Emotional and Financial Consequences
The interviews revealed that many students initially experienced excitement after early gambling wins. Those early successes often convinced them that gambling could solve financial problems or provide easy entertainment.
However, repeated losses produced cycles of regret, frustration, anxiety, depression, and guilt. Many respondents admitted staying awake late at night to continue gambling, leading to sleep deprivation, declining academic performance, loss of concentration, and increasing emotional stress.
The research also found that 80.7 percent of respondents experienced stress or anxiety related to gambling, yet 34.9 percent never sought professional psychological assistance. Many avoided counseling because they feared social stigma or were unaware that counseling services existed on campus.
Implications for Universities and Public Policy
The researchers argue that online gambling should no longer be viewed merely as an individual behavioral problem. Instead, it represents a broader public health, educational, financial, and social challenge requiring coordinated intervention.
They recommend that universities strengthen early detection programs, expand psychological counseling services, improve digital financial literacy, and integrate gambling prevention into student development initiatives.
Families and communities also have an important role in recognizing warning signs before gambling addiction develops into severe financial and psychological crises. Government agencies, educational institutions, and technology platforms are encouraged to collaborate in reducing students' exposure to online gambling promotions while improving access to mental health support.
Research Insight from the Authors
Laurentius Ni and Avelina Arsi from Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng conclude that online gambling has become deeply integrated into many students' social, emotional, and academic lives. Although many students understand the legal and personal risks of gambling, academic pressure, financial concerns, peer influence, and limited psychological support continue to encourage participation. The researchers call for collective action involving universities, families, communities, and government institutions to prevent the further spread of online gambling among educated young people.
Author Profiles
- Laurentius Ni is a researcher at Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng, Indonesia, whose research focuses on education, student behavior, social issues, and psychosocial development.
- Avelina Arsi is a researcher at Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng, Indonesia, with academic interests in education, youth development, community studies, and psychosocial well-being. The published article does not specify the authors' academic degrees.
Source
- Article Title: Behind the Illusion of Instant Wins: The Financial and Psychosocial Impact of Online Gambling Addiction on Students in Ruteng City
- Authors: Laurentius Ni and Avelina Arsi
- Journal: International Journal of Contemporary Sciences (IJCS)
- Publication Year: 2026
- Volume & Issue: Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 1607–1622
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/k8zd0g73
- URL Jurnal: https://journalijcs.my.id/index.php/ijcs
0 Komentar