Community Outreach on Smart Financial Management: Preventing Illegal Online Gambling and Illegal Online Lending in Karang Joang Village, Balikpapan

Sosialisasi Cerdas Kelola Keuangan: Hindari Judi Online dan Pinjol Ilegal di Kelurahan Karang Joang, Balikpapan

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital financial services has been accompanied by a rise illegal online gambling and illegal online loans both of which are easily accessible and often disguised as harmless entertainment or fast cash solutions. This community outreach activity aimed to increase public understanding of the dangers of illegal online gambling and illegal online lending, while promoting healthy household financial management among residents of Karang Joang Village, Balikpapan. The program was carried out through direct, interactive outreach involving preparation, implementation, and evaluation stages. Material was delivered on the characteristics and negative impacts of online gambling, the differences between legal and illegal online loans, and practical steps for household budgeting, including a simple allocation model of 40% for daily needs, 30% for instalments, 20% for savings and emergency funds, and 10% for social or religious giving. Results showed high participant enthusiasm, with residents actively sharing personal experiences of gambling and lending offers received through social media and messaging applications. Participants demonstrated improved understanding by the end of the session, shifting from basic questions about definitions toward more applied questions, such as how to verify the legality of a lending platform through the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and how to report or block online gambling content. These findings indicate that direct and interactive financial education is an effective preventive strategy to reduce community vulnerability to illegal digital financial practices.