PENEGAKAN HUKUM OLEH KEPOLISIAN TERHADAP PELAKU PEMAIN JUDI ONLINE DI KOTA MALANG (Studi di Kepolisian Resor Kota Malang)

The criminal provisions under Article 303 of the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP) and Article 27 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 45 paragraph (2) of Law Number 19 of 2016 on Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE Law) have been utilized as the legal basis to prosecute online gambling offenders. However, in practice, these provisions have not fully addressed the complexities of online gambling crimes, particularly regarding players who only access the gambling platforms without organizing them. This research adopts an empirical juridical approach, focusing on a field study at the Malang City Police Department (Polresta Kota Malang). The issues examined include: (1) how the Malang City Police enforce the law against online gambling players; and (2) what challenges hinder effective law enforcement. The findings reveal several impediments to effective prosecution, stemming from structural, substantive, and socio-legal cultural factors. Structurally, the absence of a dedicated cyber unit and lack of qualified personnel in digital forensics have weakened investigative capacity. Substantively, current legal provisions are vague regarding the liability distinction between players and organizers. Culturally, low public legal awareness and the permissive social perception of online gambling create significant challenges.