The impact of COVID-19 on gambling and gambling disorder: emerging data

Abstract

Purpose of review The lockdown response to the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted commercial gambling in many jurisdictions around the world. The goal of this review is to systematically identify and describe the survey data and findings to date examining the effect on individual gambling and gambling disorder. Recent findings Of the 17 publications meeting inclusion criteria, the majority reported cross-sectional assessments ( n = 11, 65%) and remainder were longitudinal in that they had earlier gambling data for participants ( n = 6, 35%). Not surprisingly given the closure of land-based gambling, an overall reduction in gambling frequency and expenditure was reported in all studies. The estimate of the proportion of participants in both the general population and the population that gambles who increased overall gambling or online gambling was variable. The most consistent correlates of increased gambling during the lockdown were increased problem gambling severity, younger age groups, and being male. Summary These results suggest that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on gambling and problematic gambling are diverse – possibly causing a reduction in current or future problems in some, but also promoting increased problematic gambling in others. The longer-term implications of both the reduction in overall gambling, and the increase in some vulnerable groups are unclear, and requires assessment in subsequent follow-up studies. However, in the short term, individuals with existing gambling problems should be recognized as a vulnerable group.

Gambling in Canada During the COVID Lockdown: Prospective National Survey

“…Among those who continued to gamble, significant decreases were detected on all gambling engagement measures: number of gambling types engaged in, gambling frequency, time spent in gambling sessions, as well as a significant reduction in gambling related financial losses. These reductions parallel those found in other surveys in Canada and elsewhere (Hodgins & Stevens, 2021 ). In light of the fact that the majority of the sample at baseline report engaging in gambling activities via land-based only platforms these decreases make intuitive sense—gambling engagement will decrease while legal land-based platforms are restricted or entirely inaccessible.…”

“…An editorial in Addiction underscored the urgency of research and surveillance of the pandemic effects on addictive behaviors (Marsden et al, 2020 ). A recent review found 11 published and unpublished cross sectional surveys in which participants were asked to compare their gambling prior to and during the COVID lockdown (Hodgins & Stevens, 2021 ). These surveys report overall reduction in gambling in their samples but also that a small subpopulation described increased gambling.…”

“…Very few longitudinal studies exist (Hodgins & Stevens, 2021 ). In one peer reviewed article, behavioral data from sports bettors in Europe indicated that these bettors did not switch to more/different online games during lockdown and that there was a significant decrease in overall money wagered (Auer et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The existing cross sectional and longitudinal research suggests that the impacts of the COVID pandemic, including the lockdown, are likely complex and variable (Hodgins & Stevens, 2021 ). The present study adds to the small prospective literature with a large national baseline of gambling behavior collected before the pandemic and a reassessment of this behavior during the lockdown.…”

Do Online Gambling Products Require Traditional Therapy for Gambling Disorder to Change? Evidence from Focus Group Interviews with Mental Health Professionals Treating Online Gamblers

“…Many individuals have seen their free time (and time at home) increased during the lockdowns and some have resorted to online gambling as a means to cope with boredom, social isolation, and psychological distress (Wardle et al, 2021 ). Although the actual impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on problem gambling remains to be determined (Gainsbury et al, 2020 ; Hodgins & Stevens, 2021 ; Zamboni et al, 2021 ), the evidence suggests that there are more active online gamblers than before the pandemic (Auer & Griffiths, 2021 ). In Spain, where the current study was carried out, registered online gamblers increased by 8.36% from 2019 to 2020 (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego, 2021 ).…”