Now, let’s travel back to Indonesia in the 1980s.
In 1985, the Indonesian government launched Porkas (Pekan Olahraga dan Kesenian), an official lottery meant to raise funds for sports and arts events like Pekan Olahraga Nasional (PON). Tickets were sold openly through post offices and authorized agents, and the draws were even televised.
In 1989, Porkas was replaced with Sumbangan Dana Sosial Berhadiah (SDSB) which means “social donations with prizes.” The idea was still the same: buy a ticket, support national projects, and maybe win big.
But this didn’t last long. By the early 1990s, religious groups and community leaders criticized the scheme, saying it promoted gambling addiction and moral decline. In 1993, SDSB was banned, and since then, Indonesia has kept a very strict stance against most forms of gambling.
When we compare the Wisconsin Lottery in the US with Indonesia’s Porkas/SDSB, we see a similar concept but very different outcomes.
In terms of legality, Wisconsin’s lottery is still alive and well, backed by strict state regulations. Indonesia’s, on the other hand, started off legal but was permanently banned in 1993 after public and religious backlash.
The public image also took different turns. Wisconsin frames its lottery as “fun for a cause” buy a ticket, help fund the community. Indonesia once promoted its lottery as a way to “support sports and development”, but over time it became a moral controversy. The end result? Wisconsin’s lottery survives with regular oversight and fraud crackdowns, while Indonesia’s was shut down entirely in the name of public morality
"..If you’re referring to Indonesia in the 1980s, PORKAS and SDSB were both state run lottery programs that became quite famous (and controversial). Sumbangan Dana Sosial Berhadiah (Social Contribution with Prizes) and Kupon Porkas Sepakbola (Porkas Football Coupon). PORKAS was Criticized by religious groups and anti-gambling advocates, leading to its closure in 1987. SDSB Officially banned in 1993 by President Suharto after mounting criticism and fatwas declaring it haram".
The Moral Lesson for Kids
This brings us to a bigger question: what do children learn when they see their parents love gambling? If parents gamble often without setting boundaries, kids might think it’s a normal or reliable way to make money. That can lead to unrealistic expectations about luck and success. On the flip side, if parents treat it as occasional entertainment and explain the risks, it can become a teaching moment about chance, responsibility, and the value of hard-earned money.
The safest message? Gambling should never replace earning through effort, and winning should be seen as luck, not a plan. Lotteries may look like simple games, but they live at the crossroads of economics, entertainment, and ethics. Whether they continue like in Wisconsin or vanish like in Indonesia depends on how each society balances money-making with moral values.
I'd love to hear more about this topic!
Are there any lotteries or gambling activities that are officially regulated or run by the government in your country? If your country runs a national lottery, do you think the revenue from it can be considered a form of tax and used to support national development?
Please feel free to share your knowledge here.
In 1989, Porkas was replaced with Sumbangan Dana Sosial Berhadiah (SDSB) which means “social donations with prizes.” The idea was still the same: buy a ticket, support national projects, and maybe win big.
But this didn’t last long. By the early 1990s, religious groups and community leaders criticized the scheme, saying it promoted gambling addiction and moral decline. In 1993, SDSB was banned, and since then, Indonesia has kept a very strict stance against most forms of gambling.
When we compare the Wisconsin Lottery in the US with Indonesia’s Porkas/SDSB, we see a similar concept but very different outcomes.
In terms of legality, Wisconsin’s lottery is still alive and well, backed by strict state regulations. Indonesia’s, on the other hand, started off legal but was permanently banned in 1993 after public and religious backlash.
 |
| This lottery ticket called "SDSB" which very famous in the era of 1980's which might be the first national recognized lottery in Indonesia. Photo taken from Boombastis |
 |
| PORKAS TICKET. Image from DETIK |
The public image also took different turns. Wisconsin frames its lottery as “fun for a cause” buy a ticket, help fund the community. Indonesia once promoted its lottery as a way to “support sports and development”, but over time it became a moral controversy. The end result? Wisconsin’s lottery survives with regular oversight and fraud crackdowns, while Indonesia’s was shut down entirely in the name of public morality
 |
| A stack of Indonesian banknotes with a total value of over 50,000,000 Rupiahs (IDR). Photo by Asep Haryono. |
"..If you’re referring to Indonesia in the 1980s, PORKAS and SDSB were both state run lottery programs that became quite famous (and controversial). Sumbangan Dana Sosial Berhadiah (Social Contribution with Prizes) and Kupon Porkas Sepakbola (Porkas Football Coupon). PORKAS was Criticized by religious groups and anti-gambling advocates, leading to its closure in 1987. SDSB Officially banned in 1993 by President Suharto after mounting criticism and fatwas declaring it haram".
The Moral Lesson for Kids
This brings us to a bigger question: what do children learn when they see their parents love gambling? If parents gamble often without setting boundaries, kids might think it’s a normal or reliable way to make money. That can lead to unrealistic expectations about luck and success. On the flip side, if parents treat it as occasional entertainment and explain the risks, it can become a teaching moment about chance, responsibility, and the value of hard-earned money.
The safest message? Gambling should never replace earning through effort, and winning should be seen as luck, not a plan. Lotteries may look like simple games, but they live at the crossroads of economics, entertainment, and ethics. Whether they continue like in Wisconsin or vanish like in Indonesia depends on how each society balances money-making with moral values.
I'd love to hear more about this topic!
Are there any lotteries or gambling activities that are officially regulated or run by the government in your country? If your country runs a national lottery, do you think the revenue from it can be considered a form of tax and used to support national development?
Please feel free to share your knowledge here.
A Message From Asep Haryono
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