One tragic case had a horrific incident in East Ciputat, South Tangerang, in December 2024 (Rafni & Farisa, 2025). Reporting from Kompas.com, a man with the initials AF (31) was found dead by suicide after killing his wife and child. Based on the results of the investigation, AF experienced severe economic pressure due to online gambling addiction; AF is entangled in debt from 15 online loan applications and is actively playing on four online gambling sites. There is also another suicide case experienced by a private employee with the initials S (44) who was found hanging himself in Ciputat, South Tangerang due to the stress of being entangled in debt due to online gambling addiction (Dany, 2024).
The Power of Self-Control
One of the efforts in self-control training is to perform cognitive restructuring. Cognitive restructuring is a method to reset the mindset that causes unnaturalness in individuals, resulting in a low self-adjustment ability (Ratnasari & Meiyuntariningsih, 2022). Cognitive restructuring can help individuals identify and understand maladaptive thoughts related to the urge to gamble (Nitakusminar, 2020).
Through understanding and efforts to manage the mind, individuals can develop the ability to avoid risky situations, such as online gambling. The technique for developing self-control, as presented in this paper, involves recalling the concept of ATBE (AWAL).
The concept of ATBE (AWAL) is an acronym for Activity (Aktivitas), Time (Waktu), Budget (Anggaran), and Environment (Lingkungan). The explanation of each of these concepts is as follows:
1. Activities (Aktivitas)
Plan and set the daily activities that we will do. We need to constantly practice writing down the activities that will be done, whether for today, tomorrow, or the day after. Ensure that the planned or assigned activity supports the completion of tasks or addresses an individual's health condition. Individual health, in question, can include physical health, mental health (encompassing emotional, spiritual, and social aspects), or financial health. With activity planning, it is hoped that we do not think about gambling.
2. Time (Waktu)
In addition to planning and determining the activity, we need to determine when the activity will be carried out. Essentially, time is a precious resource in life, and we need to invest it wisely. When we have a lot of choices of activities and limited time, we need to choose which activities are the most critical or priority. Choose what activities and with whom we will use the remaining time. We cannot restore the time that has passed. If we manage time effectively, every second we have can be utilized to support the achievement of our life goals (Suyasa, 2024).
3. Budget (Anggaran)
A budget is something that facilitates the activities we plan. Every activity related to the budget can be classified into two types: consumption and investment. The form of consumption activities involves shopping for daily necessities that are not capital-intensive, supporting learning or work activities. In contrast, investment activities include shopping, which is used as capital for study or work activities. Based on the grouping above, the act of gambling falls under the type of consumption budget. The budget is not spent on supporting learning and work activities, but rather on speculation, experimentation, and following trends and promotions. However, in some people, gambling is often perceived as an investment. Even though gambling is not an investment. If gambling is considered an investment, then it is a hazardous investment. Individuals think that gambling will bring (significantly) huge profits. Statistically, most gambling activities are detrimental. This condition is an error/deviation (bias) in thinking, or in Psychology known as cognitive bias. Individuals think they will make a profit, but in reality, they are losing money.
4. Environment (Lingkungan)
The environment is a factor that triggers an individual to take an action. Online gambling behavior is not solely carried out without environmental factors. The environment that has the potential to be a factor in online gambling behavior: (a) friends/relatives who are gamblers; (b) the spectacle related to (advertising) of online gambling that promises large profits with small capital; (c) spectacles related to online loans (PINJOL) that make it easier to get funds/gambling capital; (d) facilities in the form of devices, internet networks, software/applications, and others that facilitate access to online gambling networks; (e) the location of the residence adjacent to the gambling venue; (f) situation/condition of lack of supervision from authority figures (parents/superiors); (g) permissive opinions/debates/permissive gambling behaviors; (h) friends/relatives who are materialistic and consumptive; and others. We identify and anticipate these various environmental situations/conditions as much as possible. Anticipation can be done by: limiting, avoiding, shunning, reducing, or modifying.
Let's Unite the Determination to Activate the Power of Self-Control!
Online gambling is not just another person's problem, but a common problem for the nation, one that requires a comprehensive solution. We are grateful to the government for making efforts to reduce online gambling transactions in the first quarter of 2025. However, for long-term sustainability, strengthening self-control is a key factor that is also important to consider. Self-control is an effective personal fortress to prevent and overcome online gambling behavior.
