UPAYA TINDAKAN KEPOLISIAN DALAM MENANGGULANGI PERJUDIAN ONLINE DI KOTA MALANG (STUDI POLRESTA MALANG)

This study analyzes the efforts of the Malang City Police Resort (Polresta Malang) in combating online gambling as an information technology–based crime. The research aims to examine pre-emptive, preventive, and repressive measures implemented by the police and to identify obstacles in enforcing the law against online gambling. An empirical juridical method was employed using a field approach through observations and interviews at Polresta Malang, supported
by secondary data consisting of statutory regulations and relevant legal literature. The findings reveal that Polresta Malang has undertaken various countermeasures, including legal education and public awareness campaigns, cyber patrols, and law enforcement actions through investigation and prosecution. Nevertheless, law
enforcement efforts face several challenges, such as limited technological infrastructure, inadequate digital forensic capabilities, the rapid evolution of offenders‟ modus operandi, and low public legal awareness. This study concludes that the enactment of the New Criminal Code (Law Number 1 of 2023) does not alter the prohibition of gambling but reinforces the general criminal law framework, while online gambling remains specifically regulated under the Information and Electronic Transactions Law as lex specialis. The study contributes empirically to strengthening law enforcement strategies against online gambling and recommends enhancing police human resources and cyber technology capacity.