Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar said on Tuesday (8/7/2025) that recipients of social assistance, better known locally as bansos, found using the funds for online gambling  will have their benefits revoked.

“We will investigate the data. If any aid is used for online gambling, we will stop the distribution,” he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Minister Muhaimin emphasized that the sanction applies regardless of whether recipients are classified as poor or extremely poor.

The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) recently revealed that 571,410 national ID holders receiving social aid were involved in online gambling activities in 2024. These accounts processed 7.5 million gambling transactions, totaling Rp 957 billion.

The Ministry of Social Affairs is now working with PPATK to verify recipients and ensure aid is distributed effectively, as mandated by President Prabowo Subianto.

Dormant recipient accounts are also under review as part of efforts to ensure targeted and responsible assistance.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)