The rampant circulation of "toto gelap" (togel/dark lottery) gambling in the Dairi Regency area, North Sumatra, has triggered concern and sharp criticism from the local community. This increasingly open illegal activity is considered to damage the integrity of the Dairi Resort Police (Polres) because they are deemed slow and appear to tolerate the perpetrators of this illicit business.
This gambling practice is allegedly coordinated by a bookmaker with the initials AS, who is suspected of working together with a law enforcement officer also with the initials AS. This illegal business network is reported to not only control the Dairi area but has also expanded to neighboring regencies such as Pakpak Bharat and several areas in Karo Regency, including Merek and Tiga Panah. In addition to controlling the togel gambling, the suspected main bookmaker is also reported to run a nightclub business in the Ringroad Road area, Sidikalang.
The lack of decisive action from law enforcement officers has triggered wild speculation among the public. Some residents have openly alleged that illicit funds are blocking law enforcement, making it difficult to implement the instructions of National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Whisnu Hermawan Februanto regarding the eradication of all forms of gambling. A former local gambler even openly challenged the police to prove their courage in arresting the big bookmakers whose identities are already an open secret.
The negative impact of the mushrooming of togel gambling has also caught the attention of local religious figures. Pastor Crista Barita Siahaan expressed concern over the moral and economic degradation experienced by residents due to this addiction to guessing numbers. According to him, gambling addiction has damaged the social fabric, making residents lazy to work in the fields, and even neglecting worship. He reminded the congregation through sermons that gambling will only impoverish the community and enrich the bookmakers.
In order to clarify the public's complaints, efforts were made to confirm with Dairi Police Chief AKBP Otniel Siahaan through the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit (Kasat Reskrim) of Dairi Police, AKP Wilson Manahan Panjaitan. However, until this news was published, the local police had not provided an official response regarding the law enforcement steps to address the rampant togel gambling activities in their jurisdiction.
