Gambling in Canada During the COVID Lockdown: Prospective National Survey

Abstract

The current study investigated the impact of the COVID pandemic lockdown on gambling and problem gambling in Canada. The AGRI National Project’s online panel participants ( N = 3449) provided baseline gambling data 6 months prior to the pandemic. Re-surveying this sample during the lockdown provided an opportunity to make quantitative comparisons of the changes. Nearly one-third of gamblers reported ceasing gambling altogether during the lockdown. For the continuing gamblers, quantitative data indicated significant decreases in gambling frequency, time spent in gambling sessions, money spent, and the number of game types played. Qualitative perceptions of changes in gambling were examined and the accuracy of these reports were not closely aligned with actual changes in gambling. Gambling platform was the only gambling engagement metric where increases were found with ~ 17% of the gambling sample migrating to online gambling during the lockdown. Although problem gambling within the sample generally declined, consistent with previous literature, it was also found that gambling online—among other biopsychosocial factors—was a significant predictor for classification as a problem gambler during the lockdown. COVID-specific influences on health, employment, leisure time and social isolation were moderately associated with problem gambling scores but were not independent predictors of changes in gambling engagement during lockdown. Future studies are required to assess if the pandemic related changes in gambling evidenced in this study remain stable, or if engagement reverts to pre-pandemic levels when the pandemic response allows for the re-opening of land-based gambling venues.

Gambling and gaming during COVID-19: The role of mental health and social motives in gambling and gaming problems

“…While previous research has shown that gambling behaviours have decreased or remained the same during the pandemic among many people [ 35 ], some may have turned to or increased their gambling and online gaming in order to distract themselves from the current coronavirus situation. Less frequent gambling due to the pandemic is inherently a good thing, as it is associated with lower gambling-related financial losses and higher self-awareness regarding the possibility that one is spending too much time in the games [ 33 , 43 ]. On the other hand, the social features of games might have provided an alternative way of communicating and building social connections with others while staying socially isolated at home.…”

“…Given the evident effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people's social lives and the social elements inherent to online games, the possibility that motivating social factors influence gambling and gaming participation in the context of the pandemic should be investigated. Importantly, more research is needed on the COVID-specific mental health and social factors, as it is still unknown what the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gambling and gaming will be [ 43 ].…”

Parameters for Change in Offline Gambling Behavior After the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Germany

“…Switching to online gambling: in a United States study, Xuereb et al (2021) report that 15% of participating gamblers had exclusively used offline gambling services before the lockdown and switched to online gambling during the lockdown. Similarly, in a Canadian study, 18% of offline-only gamblers switched to online gambling during the lockdown ( Shaw et al, 2021 ). In New Zealand, however, the figure switching from offline to online gambling was lower (8%) ( Hiringa, 2020 ).…”

“…This may be due to divergent gambling regimes or varying COVID-19 restrictions. In Canada, for example, almost all gambling venues were closed ( Shaw et al, 2021 ), while in Australia poker and slot machines were closed nationally for 3 months ( Gainsbury et al, 2021 ), and in Sweden where all casinos were closed, further efforts were undertaken to reduce the time spent on land-based gambling machines (as well as on online casino games) with mandatory limits and other regulations to reduce gambling participation (e.g., limit of deposits) ( Hakansson, 2021 ). Furthermore, the methodological approaches of the studies varied.…”

“…Gambling cessation: 28% of the gamblers in the Canadian study quit gambling during the lockdown ( Shaw et al, 2021 ). Georgiadou et al (2021) report that a total of 39% of the gamblers interviewed in Germany ceased their gambling activities during lockdown – among offline-only gamblers, the figure was 50%.…”