IPB University Student Research: Gen Z Uses Online Gambling as a Shortcut and Online Entertainment
Amidst the intense campaign for digital literacy and technological advances, there is one irony that is slowly but surely eroding the younger generation, namely online gambling (judol).
Research conducted by IPB University students attempts to examine the factors behind this phenomenon. The team, which is part of the Student Creativity Program (PKM), found a striking fact: higher education and digital literacy are not enough to protect the younger generation from the trap of instant economics.
“This phenomenon is no longer just a moral issue, but a reflection of the digital paradox that afflicts Gen Z, a group that was born and raised in an era of unlimited connectivity,” said Zyahwa Aprilia, a representative of the team.
The team conducted in-depth interviews with a number of male respondents aged 22–27. The majority of respondents were college graduates with incomes between Rp2.000.000 and Rp5.000.000 per month.
Socially, they live amid the economic pressures of big cities, increasing consumer needs, rising prices of basic necessities, while their incomes are not yet stable enough.
“Some respondents stated that gambling has become a ‘shortcut’ to fulfilling their digital lifestyle. It is not solely because of a desire to gamble, but because of a desire to survive in a fast-paced and competitive environment,” she said.
This phenomenon, she said, shows a contradiction. On the one hand, they understand the risks of digital technology and have pursued higher education. On the other hand, economic pressures and the social environment make them vulnerable to the trap of online platforms that promise instant profits.
This study also found a strong influence of digital culture in normalizing gambling behavior among Gen Z. Judol advertisements appear on social media, games, and even in friendship groups.
“For them, digital gambling is no longer a ‘dark’ activity, but simply part of online entertainment. Play games and earn money, they say. This condition shows that high digital literacy does not automatically correlate with moral or financial literacy. Internet access actually opens up space for risky behavior that was previously difficult to access,” said Zyahwa.
The fact that the majority of college graduates emphasize that formal education is not enough to build immunity to digital addiction. Despite their critical thinking skills, socio-economic pressures and competitive culture on social media drive them to seek quick income, even through risky means.
Zyahwa noted that the gap between digital skills and digital ethics understanding is the main weakness of Generation Z. “They are tech-savvy, but not necessarily prepared to face the complexities of the digital world that manipulates personal psychology and economics,” he emphasized.
This finding reveals the true face of the “digitalization paradox.” Technology, which was expected to expand access and opportunities, has instead created new traps for those who are not yet economically and culturally prepared.
“This finding reflects many urban areas in Indonesia, which are smart and connected but fragile amid the rapid flow of digitalization. Judol is just one of many forms of Specific Problematic Internet Use (SPIU), problematic behavior resulting from excessive internet use,” said Zyahwa.
Seeing this phenomenon, Zyahwa and his team urge public policy to go beyond simply blocking websites. More than that, a deeper social and cultural approach is needed, from financial education in universities to digital ethics literacy in schools.
“This research proves that numbers do not stand alone. Behind the statistics are young faces struggling between economic reality and the tempting digital world. Gen Z doesn’t just need warnings, but a safe space to understand and manage their digital behavior. Otherwise, the paradox of digitalization will keep repeating itself, creating a generation that’s tech-savvy but defeated by algorithms,” he concluded. (*/Rz)(IAAS/LAN)
