The rapid development of information technology has led to a significant increase in online gambling practices, which have broad social and economic impacts on society. This phenomenon is not limited to urban areas but has also spread to non-metropolitan regions, including Ponorogo Regency. The government has established various legal policies to address online gambling; however, in practice, law enforcement still faces numerous challenges. This study aims to analyze the implementation of online gambling prevention policies in Ponorogo Regency and to examine the dilemmas and obstacles faced by law enforcement officers in enforcing the law against online gambling practices.
This research employs a qualitative method with an empirical juridical approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with law enforcement officers, documentation studies of relevant laws and regulations, and field observations. The collected data were analyzed using an interactive analysis model consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing.
The findings indicate that the implementation of online gambling prevention policies in Ponorogo has been carried out through both repressive and preventive measures; however, it has not yet been fully effective. The geographical conditions of Ponorogo, which are predominantly rural, along with the demographic characteristics of the community, including varying levels of legal awareness and economic conditions, significantly affect the effectiveness of law enforcement. Law enforcement officers face dilemmas between the demands of formal legal enforcement and considerations of social, humanitarian, and technical limitations. These challenges result in law enforcement actions that tend to be selective and reactive. This study concludes that addressing online gambling requires a more comprehensive approach that takes local conditions into account, enhances the capacity of law enforcement agencies, and strengthens preventive efforts within the community.
Keywords: Law Enforcement, Online Gambling, Policy Implementation, Law Enforcement Officers.