Individuals naturally possess motivation that drives them to engage in
various activities enthusiastically. Motivation can be defined as an internal drive
that directs behavior toward a specific goal. The purpose of motivation is to propel
individuals to undertake particular activities.
The motivation of the three youths in Bobotsari to engage in online slot
gambling is initially rooted in persuasion, as they were influenced by friends, their
environment, and advertisements. These participants developed a belief in luck, the
opportunity to win, and the ability to hone skills, particularly after gaining benefits
from their initial experience with online gambling. Their objective in gambling
online is to fulfill personal ambitions, gain recognition from others, enhance selfesteem,
and earn acknowledgment from peers. Based on these findings, motivation
is understood as the internal drive that compels the participants to engage in online
slot gambling.
This study aims to explore the meaning of motivation in three youths from
Bobotsari who engage in online slot gambling, using five components of motivation:
physiological needs, safety needs, social needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization
needs. The study employs a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach.
The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews based on motivational
theories. Three youths, each with over two years of experience in online slot
gambling, were selected as participants. A phenomenological analysis method was
used as the researcher sought to describe the meaning of motivation.