Gambling During the COVID-19 Crisis - A Cause for Concern

Illegal Online Gambling Site Detection using Multiple Resource-Oriented Machine Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to faster digitalization and illegal online gambling has become popular. As illegal online gambling brings not only financial threats but also breaches in overall cyber security, this study defines the concept of absolute illegal online gambling (AIOG) using a machine-learning-driven approach with information gathered from public webpages. By analysing 11,172 sites to detect illegal online gambling, the proposed model classifies key features such as URLs (Uniform Resource Locator), WHOIS, INDEX, and landing page information. With a combination of text and image analyses with machine learning-driven approach, the proposed model offers the ensemble combination of attributes for high detection performance with the verification of common attributes from metadata in online gambling. This study suggests a strategy for dynamic resource utilization to increase the classification accuracy of the current environment. As a result, this research expands the scope of hybrid web mining through constant updating of data to achieve content-based filtering.

Religiosity, Financial Risk Taking, and Reward Processing: An Experimental Study

The present study investigated the extent to which financial risk-taking (FRT) perspectives and religiosity influenced an individual's performance on financial decision-making tasks under risk and/or uncertainty. It further investigated the potential to measure this interaction using electro-encephalogram (EEG) assessments through reward-related event-related potentials (P3 and FRN). EEG data were collected from 37 participants undergoing four decision-making tasks comprising the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), Iowa Gambling Test (IGT), Mixed-Gamble Loss-Aversion Task (MGLAT), and MGLA-Success Task (MGLAST). The present study found that BART performance may be affected by an interaction of FRT perspectives and religiosity. The physiological effects of task feedback were also distinguished between religious and non-religious individuals objectively with EEG data. Overall, while religiosity and FRT may not significantly influence IGT and MGLA performance, and interact with BART in a complex way, physiological reaction towards feedback after BART performance appears to be strongly affected by religiosity and FRT perspectives.

Brief Report: The Rise of Online Betting in Ontario

In this paper we examine the nature of calls for the Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline from June 2021 to Jan 2023 to determine if the increased marketing of online and sports gambling has changed the nature of calls to the helpline. An interrupted time series model comparing the monthly calls before and after the expansion of online gambling and advertising (April 2023), found a significant effect. Calls related to the other games examined did not have a significant interrupted time series effect of from the expansion and advertising of online gambling. The results of this analysis clearly indicate an association between the expansion of legalized gambling and gambling advertising with the number of people who call the helpline for problem related to online gambling.

How We Lost 90% of Participants on a Bad Bet: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial on Cognitive Bias Modification in Problem Gamblers

Whilst opportunities to participate in gambling have increased, access to support for problem gamblers is lacking behind. This lack of balance calls for improved and accessible intervention methods. The present double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) explored the effectiveness of two interventions targeting automatic cognitive processes, known as Attentional Bias Modification (AtBM) and Approach Bias Modification (ApBM). It was hypothesized these interventions would reduce gambling behavior and reduce or reverse targeted biases. Participants (N = 331) were community-recruited Flemish (35%) and Dutch (65%) adult problem gamblers motivated to reduce or stop their gambling who received either six sessions of active training (AtBM or ApBM) or of the corresponding sham-training (sham-AtBM or sham-ApBM). Due to high attrition rates (90.1% up to the intervention phase) the study was terminated before completion, since it would greatly limit the validity of any results. A post hoc qualitative study was performed on a subset of participants to gain insight into contributing factors for the high attrition rate. Issues negatively impacting participants' motivation to complete the program were identified, as well as elements of the program that received approval. The results from this study provide a first insight into the potential of the use of online cognitive bias modification (CBM) interventions in problem gambling (PG). Suggestions and directions for future studies are discussed.

Relationship Between Social Isolation, Cultural Adaptation, and Sports Gambling Addiction Among Korean Chinese Sports club Participants

This study aims to verify the relationship between social isolation, cultural adaptation, and gambling addiction tendency among Korean Chinese sports club participants living in Korea. This will be helpful in identifying the sports gambling tendencies of Korean Chinese sports club participants living in Korea and provide basic data for the development and implementation of preventive measures and treatments. This study recruited 340 sports club participants in Seoul and Incheon, Gyeonggi province in South Korea, using a convenience sampling method. A survey was conducted by visiting the places where the subjects were taking part in sports activities and explaining the contents and purpose of the survey. The survey was a self-administered questionnaire that the participants were to complete themselves. Of the original 340 participants, 314 questionnaires were included in the data analysis, with 26 questionnaires excluded for insincere responses or omissions. analysis result, First, considering the effect of social isolation of Korean Chinese sports club participants on cultural adaptation, the results show that emotional isolation had a negative effect on all subfactors of cultural adaptation, and social alienation had a negative effect on work adaptation, among the subfactors of cultural adaptation. Second, examining the effect of social isolation of Korean Chinese sports club participants on sports gambling addiction tendency, among the subfactors of social isolation, we find that emotional isolation had the most positive effect on sports gambling addiction tendency, followed by social alienation. Third, we examined the effect of the cultural adaptation of Korean Chinese sports club participants on sports gambling addiction tendency; among the subfactors of cultural adaptation, work adaptation had a negative effect on sports gambling addiction tendency.

Relieving the Gambling Itch Through Alcohol Consumption: The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Australian Casino Patrons

This paper extends our understanding of how casino patrons are affected by COVID-19 restrictions and how they cope by substituting gambling with alcohol consumption. We conducted two studies using a nationwide survey sample collected in Australia during the pandemic lockdown. Study 1 compares the casino patrons with two reference groups (other gambling patrons and non-gambling individuals) and investigates the lockdown restrictions on respondents' relational strength, and their potential impact on mental health and future prospects. Study 2 applies the stress-response dampening model (SRD) and tests how respondents used alcohol consumption to cope with the lack of access to casinos during the lockdown. The results from Study 1 suggest that lockdown restrictions on respondents' relational strength have significant negative impacts on anxiety, life satisfaction and post-pandemic outlook. Study 2 finds that casino patrons substituted gambling with alcohol consumption during the lockdown, with increased alcohol consumption negatively related to life satisfaction. Paradoxically, Australian gambling venue owners may not be adversely affected as many also run liquor retail operations.

Psychosocial Perspective on Problem Gambling: The role of Social Relationships, Resilience, and COVID-19 Worry

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified several psychosocial risks and problem behaviors among vulnerable individuals. Given that gambling has high addictive potential, it is important to consider the underlying mechanisms of problem gambling. This study examined psychosocial factors associated with pandemic-time problem gambling.Cross-sectional data were gathered via an online survey of 18-75-year-old Finnish, Swedish, and British respondents (n = 2,022) who reported having gambled at least occasionally during the pandemic. Measures included problem gambling, loneliness, COVID-19 worry, social support, and psychological resilience. Control variables included gender, age, and education. Structural equation modeling was used as an analytical technique.Loneliness was found to be associated with problem gambling. While COVID-19 worry was not directly associated with problem gambling, it predicted higher loneliness, which in turn was associated with problem gambling. Evidence was not found regarding the protective role of resilience or social support in problem gambling. However, social support was found to be associated with higher problem gambling severity. Male gender and younger age were associated with problem gambling.The results bring insight into underlying vulnerabilities regarding problem gambling during the pandemic. More focus should be placed on the quality and sources of social support, as well as on how psychosocial risk and protective factors might work differently among different populations of gamblers.

Post-pandemic cannabis and gambling policy changes to attract tourists may lead to future health problems and costs

Aiming to lure back post-pandemic travellers, some tourism-dependent countries are considering and implementing rapid changes in cannabis and gambling policies. On the one hand, this may reverse the downturn in tourism, but on the other hand, it is likely to lead to future health problems and addictive behaviours.

A call for qualitative and mixed-methods research on gambling and cannabis

Gambling disorder and cannabis use disorder are both considered major public health issues. Despite the well-documented frequency of substance use disorders among people with gambling disorder, little is known about the experiences of those who both engage with gambling and cannabis. A scoping review was undertaken to investigate studies focusing on the experiences of people who gamble and use cannabis. Unexpectedly, no qualitative or mixed-methods studies that included an in-depth qualitative component to study the lived experiences of this population were found. This absence highlights the critical need to diversify research methods and fill the gap in knowledge of the lived experiences of people who both gamble and consume cannabis.

Evaluating the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the physicians' psychological health: A systematic scoping review

Background

COVID-19 has endangered healthcare systems at multiple levels worldwide. Published data suggests that moral dilemmas faced during these unprecedented times have placed physicians at the intersections of ethical and unethical considerations. This phenomenon has questioned the physicians' morality and how that has affected their conduct. The purpose of our review is to tap into the spectrum of the transforming optics of patient care during the pandemic and its impact on psychological wellbeing of physicians.

Methods

We adopted the Arksey and O'Malley's framework, defining research questions, identifying relevant studies, selecting the studies using agreed inclusion and exclusion criteria, charting the data, and summarizing and reporting results. Databases of PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, CINAHL, and PsycInfo were searched using a predefined search string. The retrieved titles and abstracts were reviewed. Later, a detailed full-text analysis of the studies which matched our inclusion criteria was performed.

Results

Our first search identified 875 titles and abstracts. After excluding duplicates, irrelevant, and incomplete titles, we selected 28 studies for further analysis. The sample size in 28 studies was 15,509 with an average size of 637 per study. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used, with cross-sectional surveys being utilized in all 16 quantitative studies. Using the data from semi-structured interviews, several discrete codes were generated, which led to the identification of five main themes; mental health, individual challenges, decision-making, change in patient care, and support services.

Conclusion

This scoping review reports an alarming rise in psychological distress, moral injury, cynicism, uncertainty, burnout, and grief among physicians during the pandemic. Decision-making and patient care were mostly regulated by rationing, triaging, age, gender, and life expectancy. Poor professional controls and institutional services potentially led to physicians' crumbling wellbeing. This research calls for the remediation of the deteriorating mental health and a restoration of medical profession's advocacy and equity.

Risk Factors for Gambling Disorder: A Systematic Review

Gambling disorder is a common and problematic behavioral disorder associated with depression, substance abuse, domestic violence, bankruptcy, and high suicide rates. In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), pathological gambling was renamed "gambling disorder" and moved to the Substance-Related and Addiction Disorders chapter to acknowledge that research suggests that pathological gambling and alcohol and drug addiction are related. Therefore, this paper provides a systematic review of risk factors for gambling disorder. Systematic searches of EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science identified 33 records that met study inclusion criteria. A revised study acknowledges as risk factors for developing/maintaining a gambling disorder being a single young male, or married for less than 5 years, living alone, having a poor education, and struggling financially.

Payments transaction data from online casino players and online sports bettors

Raw datasets were sourced from a U.S. based provider of digital gambling payments systems, who has demanded to remain anonymous. The raw datasets cover a time period of 6-years (2015-2021), representing over 300,000 customers and approximately 90 million transaction records. One of these raw datasets is a transaction log file representing customer payment transaction data across a variety of gambling merchants (e.g., online casinos, sportsbooks, and lottery providers). With this article we describe the transaction log file and provide two filtered subsets of the data. The subsets contain 1-year of customer payments transaction records for two gambling merchants: (1) a casino-focused brand and (2) a sports-focused brand. These data will be particularly helpful to researchers in the fields of gambling studies and behavioral sciences, and more generally for data and computer scientists. With digital payments becoming increasingly prevalent across the gambling industry, these data can be used to explore how individuals' payment behavior can inform us about their gambling behavior. The granularity and timespan of the data provide an opportunity to apply a variety of data science and machine learning techniques.

The Core Symptoms of Adolescents Online and Offline Gambling in South Korea Using Network Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Adolescent gambling is rapidly increasing recently. However, little is known about the core feature of adolescent gambling that should be the treatment target for adolescents. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the core symptom of adolescent gambling using network analysis with large-scale data targeting community indwelling adolescents.

METHODS

We used dataset of the 2018 national survey on youth gambling problems collected by the Korea Center on Gambling Problems to explore symptom networks of gambling in adolescents. Of 17,520 respondents in the dataset of the 2018 national survey on youth gambling problems collected by the Korea Center on Gambling Problems, 5,619 adolescents with experience of gambling were included in the analysis. We computed an association network, a graphical least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and a directed acyclic graph to model symptom interactions.

RESULTS

In each network of online, offline, and all gambling, stealing money or other valuable things in order to gamble or pay off gambling debts was the most centrally situated and skipping practice followed by dropping out of activities. Especially strong connections emerged between stealing money or other valuable things in order to gamble or pay off gambling debts and academic performance degradation due to gambling. Feeling bad due to gamble and skipping hanging out with friends who do not gamble emerged as a highly central node that might be distinctive to adolescents with online gambling.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate central features of adolescent gambling. Different associations among specific network nodes suggest the existence of distinctive psychopathological constructs between online and offline gambling.

Experience of LGBTQIA2S+ populations with gambling during the COVID-19 pandemic: protocol for a mixed-methods study

INTRODUCTION

Research undertaken since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has provided us information about the impact of the pandemic on the gambling habits of the general population. However, very little is known about certain subgroups at increased risk of developing gambling disorder, such as the LGBTQIA2S+ population. The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gambling behaviours among LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. In addition, we want to understand the experiences of the LGBTQIA2S+ population with gambling disorder and identify interventions that LGBTQIA2S+ people have found to be effective in addressing problem gambling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This study has a sequential explanatory mixed-method design in two phases over 2 years. The first phase is a correlational study. We will conduct a cross-sectional survey using a stratified random sampling among Canadian residents who are 18 years of age or older, self-identify as sexually and gender-diverse (ie, LGBTQIA2S+) and have gambled at least once in the previous 12 months. This survey will be administered online via a web panel (n=1500). The second phase is a qualitative study. Semistructured interviews will be conducted with LGBTQIA2S+ people with problematic gambling (n=30).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This research project has been ethically and scientifically approved by the Research Ethics Committee and by the CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS scientific evaluation committee on 3 March 2022 (reference number: 2022-4633-LGBTQ-JHA). Electronic and/or written informed consent, depending on the data collection format (online survey and online or in-person interviews), will be obtained from each participant. A copy of the consent form and contact information will be delivered to each participant.

Isolation and worry in relation to gambling and onset of gambling among psychiatry patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mediation study

When the COVID-19 pandemic started spreading globally, there was a fear that addictive behaviors would increase due to changes in everyday life caused by restrictions due to COVID-19. Studies were carried out to explore if this was true for gambling, typically revealing no overall increase in gambling behavior, although individuals who had previous experience with gambling problems were more likely to increase gambling during the pandemic. However, these studies only included individuals with previous gambling problems. It remains unknown whether other vulnerable groups, such as individuals with common mental disorders increased their gambling. This study aimed to explore the level of gambling problems among individuals with a history of mental disorders, namely, (i) pre-pandemic gamblers and (ii) pandemic-onset gamblers. Furthermore, we explored if worry and isolation mediate gambling and problem gambling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a structural equation model to investigate mediation. The results showed a high prevalence of at-risk and problem gambling in both groups. The pre-pandemic gamblers had a high level of at-risk and problem gambling. Furthermore, the individuals that started to gamble during the pandemic had an even higher degree of at-risk and problem gambling. The mediation showed that the onset of gambling was linked with the worry of COVID-infection and that worry predicted the level of gambling problems. This study highlights that vulnerability factors, isolation, and worry can be triggers for individuals with common mental disorders to engage in gambling as well as the importance of screening this population for gambling problems.

Gamblers' Perceptions of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Their Gambling Behaviours: Analysis of Free-Text Responses Collected through a Cross-Sectional Online Survey

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought drastic changes to the lives of a substantial portion of the world's population. Many stakeholders have expressed concern about the impact of the pandemic on gambling practices, which have historically increased during times of crisis. The purpose of this study was to provide a snapshot of the impact of the pandemic on gambling practices, focusing on the lived experiences of people who gamble. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted between 16 February and 15 March 2021. An open-ended question allowed the participants to describe in their own words the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their gambling practices. A qualitative analysis was conducted based on 724 responses to this question. Among the participants, 57% were problem gamblers, according to their Problem Gambling Severity Index score. Three themes were identified: (1) changes in gambling practices perceived by the respondents during the pandemic, (2) the impacts of these changes, and (3) the factors that influenced the changes in their gambling practices. A meaningful proportion of the sample of gamblers felt that their gambling practices had increased during the pandemic. Many of them did not report the deleterious effects of this increase, whereas others were devastated. Thus, variations in gambling practices during the pandemic must be interpreted with caution, as they may reflect a variety of realities.

COVID-19 and resultant restrictions on gambling behaviour

Since the onset of COVID-19, studies suggest a significant increase in online gambling, potentially facilitated by increased time at home, social isolation and boredom. This study aimed to address what is known about the impact of the pandemic on gambling behaviour by conducting a mapping review. A systematic literature search was conducted using four online databases. Additional studies were identified using reference lists. Relevant studies were quality scored and their findings synthesised in terms of overall changes at the population level and potentially vulnerable groups. The weight of evidence from 35 relevant reports across 12 countries indicated reductions of gambling during the pandemic at the level of the general population. However, marked increases in gambling amongst vulnerable sub-populations including amongst young adults and people with pre-existing at-risk gambling were also noted. The impact of COVID-19 on gambling is highly contingent on context. If policy makers examine only population level data, this could overlook profound negative effects identified in those with at-risk gambling, gambling disorder, and amongst young adults.

Differences in and drivers of mental, social, functional, and financial well-being during COVID-19: Evidence from Australia, France, Germany, and South Africa

COVID-19 has a substantial and unexpected impact on individuals’ daily life around the world. Unprecedented public health restrictions such as lockdowns have the potential to affect multiple dimensions of individuals’ well-being, while the severity of such restrictions varies across countries. However, a holistic perspective comparing differences in and drivers of the different dimensions of well-being across countries differentially affected by COVID-19 is missing to date. We address this gap in the literature by examining the mental, social, functional, and financial well-being of 2,100 individuals across Australia, France, Germany, and South Africa by means of a survey administered during May of 2021. Supporting our holistic approach, we find that the different dimensions of well-being are correlated, with survey respondents from France reporting the lowest and those from Australia reporting the highest overall level of well-being. Respondents’ subjective and objective evaluations of their living conditions during lockdowns as well as positive health and financial behaviors are positively associated with their well-being during the pandemic.

Internet-based interventions for behavioral addictions: A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Behavioral addictions are a public health problem that causes harm to both individuals and society. Internet-based interventions offer potential benefits over face-to-face therapy for the treatment of behavioral addictions, including their accessibility, perceived anonymity, and low costs. We systematically reviewed the characteristics and effectiveness of these interventions.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A standardized methodological quality assessment was performed on all identified studies via the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies were assessed in this systematic review. Between them, considerable heterogeneity was noted in various study characteristics, including screening tools, inclusion criteria, and outcome measures. Attrition rates also ranged widely (9-89%), as did study quality, with three of the 29 studies rated strong, 12 moderate, and 14 weak methodologically. Twenty-two studies focused on gambling disorder, most revealing significant within-group effects for the assessed intervention on gambling-related symptoms and four of these studies identified significant between-group effects. Behavioral addictions studied in the remaining studies included gaming disorder, internet use disorder, hoarding disorder, and pornography use disorder, revealing generally-promising, albeit limited results.

CONCLUSIONS

Internet-based interventions seem promising at reducing gambling problems, but too few studies have been published, to date, for conclusions to be drawn for other behavioral addictions. Internet-based interventions targeting other behavioral addictions - like gaming disorder, internet use disorder, hoarding disorder, and pornography use disorder - remain under-examined, warranting considerable additional research to assess their effectiveness.

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

BACKGROUND

The uncertain and stressful global situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to cause anxiety and impact people's mental health. Simultaneously, social distancing policies have isolated people from their normal social interactions. These societal changes have inevitably influenced gambling and gaming practices, and many people may have turned to betting or gaming as a means of social exchange. This study examined the influence of COVID-19 anxiety on increased mental health problems and their relationship to gambling and gaming problems. The mediating role of social motives for gambling and gaming was also investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Finnish adults (N = 1530; Mage = 46.67; 50.33% male) were recruited from a volunteer participant panel to participate in a survey study. COVID-19 anxiety was assessed using a scale adapted from the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Mental health problems were evaluated with the five-item Mental Health Inventory. Gambling problems were measured using the Problem Gambling Severity Index, and gaming problems were measured with the Internet Gaming Disorder Test. Social motives for gaming were evaluated using a single-item measure. Analyses used generalised structural equation modelling.

RESULTS

COVID-19 anxiety predicted increased mental health problems, which were associated with heightened gambling and gaming problems. Social motives for gambling and gaming were a significant mediator, suggesting that gambling and gaming problems are emphasized markedly among those who are socially motivated by and involved in such games.

CONCLUSIONS

Mental health problems experienced during the pandemic and the social properties of games might accentuate gambling and gaming problems.

Financial Disruption and Psychological Underpinning During COVID-19: A Review and Research Agenda

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disastrous impacts on sustainability initiatives and worsened poverty, hunger, and health issues. The financial distress by this pandemic has resulted in psychological challenges among the people. The list of vulnerable sections of the psychological impacts of the financial problems during COVID-19 is led by students, pregnant women, children, old age people, parents, and many more. The recommendations of this article are to focus on coping strategies for managing psychological issues related to financial problems during the pandemic, facilitating social support, promoting public health facilities and health insurance, financial support for pregnant women, and child care. Special care for old-age people and support for troubling parents and students. This article also recommends interventions and policies for reviving the disrupted businesses and strengthening entrepreneurs. Measures for income generation, removal of hunger, and reducing addictions and gambling should also be on the priority list. Limited collaboration among countries was observed, but robust collaboration among the research institutions and authors.

Compulsive buying gradually increased during the first six months of the Covid-19 outbreak

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The current Covid-19 situation offers a natural experiment to explore the effect of a chronic stressor on compulsive buying tendencies over an extended period of time.

DESIGN

Survey method of sampling every three days a new cohort during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic (March-October 2020) in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Total (clean) sample of N = 1,430 (39.3% female, mean age = 36.4 years).

MEASUREMENTS

Online and offline compulsive buying separately, distress, economic position, income and age were assessed.

FINDINGS

Both online and offline compulsive buying increased during the data collection period ( τ = 0.24, τ = 0.22, respectively, both P < 0.001). Individuals with self-reported high economic position (EP) reported the highest tendency for compulsive buying throughout the entire time frame, although the increase in compulsive buying tendencies over time was the most pronounced among the economically less privileged. Online compulsive buying increased after the CARES Act (first stimulus package) by an effect size of d = 0.33. When entered into a regression model, EP had the strongest effect on compulsive buying after accounting for the effect of distress, income and age. The high-EP group reported the strongest correlation between distress and compulsive buying (r = 0.67, P < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.57-0.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Compulsive buying tendency gradually increased during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic especially after the CARES Act.

Konsumgewohnheiten im Kontext der Pandemie – Behandlungsoptionen

Bedingt durch die COVID-19-Pandemie hat sich die Verfügbarkeit von Suchtmitteln und damit auch die Konsumgewohnheiten verändert. Die Frage, ob diese beobachteten initialen Effekte weiter bestehen bleiben und zu einer nachhaltigen Veränderung von Konsummustern führen, kann gegenwärtig nicht beantwortet werden. Im Suchthilfesystem notwendige Adaptationen, wie die Implementierung neuer Technologien in die Behandlung suchtkranker Personen, beispielsweise eHealth- und Videotelefonie-Applikationen, werden mit sehr hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit über die Krise hinaus bestehen bleiben. Neben bewährten, medikamentösen Behandlungsoptionen, wie dem Einsatz von Anticravingsubstanzen zur Rückfallprophylaxe, werden neue Verfahren, wie z. B. die Verwendung von Virtual-Reality-Anwendungen in Gruppen- und Einzelverfahren derzeit erprobt.

Gambling at the time of COVID-19: Results from interviews in an Italian sample of gamblers

The coronavirus pandemic affected the life of those suffering from addictive behaviors often confined to prolonged periods of self-isolation. To explore the variation of symptoms related to gambling, 46 outpatients of the mental health services in the Trento Province were invited to take part in a phone interview at the start of the national lockdown. Although only 2.17% increased gambling activity during this period, half of the sample (50.00%) experienced irritability, mood fluctuation (43.48%) and anxiety (39.13%). Follow-up studies should assess modifications in their behaviors that occurred after the reopening of gambling venues.

Mental Health Over Time and Financial Concerns Predict Change in Online Gambling During COVID-19

This study examined online gambling behavior during COVID-19 land-based gambling restrictions and associations with changes in mental health, impacts on household income due to the pandemic, financially focused motivations, and symptoms of gambling problems. A repeated online survey was administered to adult gamblers in Ontario, Canada. Wave 1 was conducted at the beginning of the first COVID-19 lockdown (April 2020) and wave 2 in August 2020. Respondents (N = 940) completed validated self-report questionnaires related to depression and anxiety, financial motivation, financial impacts due to the pandemic, online gambling behaviors, and problem gambling symptomatology. A cluster analysis identified three subgroups: no online gambling (subgroup 1), engagement in a range of gambling games online and change in gambling involvement (i.e., some increased and some decreased gambling; subgroup 2), and predominantly online lottery play with no change in online gambling (subgroup 3). Respondents who reported increased anxiety and depression symptom severity between the two waves and those who experienced greater symptoms of problem gambling and negative impacts on household income due to COVID-19 were most likely to be found in subgroup 2. Greater financial focus was also noted in this group. Results indicate a link between change in online gambling involvement during COVID-19 and increased mental health problems, elevated problem gambling severity, negative impacts on household income, and a greater financially focused self-concept. These results may help generate novel research questions examining short and long-term effects of the pandemic on online behaviors that inform policy and practice.

Porndemic? A Longitudinal Study of Pornography Use Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Nationally Representative Sample of Americans

Of the many changes in daily life brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing efforts and governmentally mandated lockdowns were among the most drastic. Coinciding with these changes, popular pornography websites made some previously premium content available for free, spurring dramatic increases in traffic to these websites. This increase in time spent at home and reported increases in traffic to specific pornographic websites led to some speculation that pornography use might generally increase over the course of the pandemic and that problematic use might also increase. To test these speculations and quantify the effects of the pandemic and its associated restrictions on social behaviors on pornography use, we analyzed data from a longitudinal sample of American adults. Baseline, nationally representative data were collected in August 2019 via YouGov (N = 2518). Subsequent data were collected in February 2020 (n = 1677), May 2020 (n = 1533), August 2020 (n = 1470), and October 2020 (n = 1269). Results indicated that, in May 2020, immediately following the height of the first wave of pandemic-related lockdowns, more people reported past-month pornography use than at other follow-up time points, but less did so than at baseline. Among those who reported use in May 2020, only 14% reported increases in use since the start of the pandemic, and their use returned to levels similar to all other users by August 2020. In general, pornography use trended downward over the pandemic, for both men and women. Problematic pornography use trended downward for men and remained low and unchanged in women. Collectively, these results suggest that many fears about pornography use during pandemic-related lockdowns were largely not supported by available data.

Psychoactive substance use, internet use and mental health changes during the COVID-19 lockdown in a French population: A study of gender effect

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 has enormous impacts on each individual. The goals of our study were (1) to assess the rate of internet and psychoactive substance use, clinical depression and anxiety in a French population during the lockdown (2) to study the role of clinical and socio-demographic variables (especially, gender).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During lockdown, an online anonymous questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic and health data, previous psychiatric history, anterior and current internet and psychoactive substance use, current anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. The associations of socio-demographic, clinical variables with anxiety, depression, internet or psychoactive substance use were examined.

RESULTS

The study included 263 participants (aged 38.1 ± 15.3-197 males and 64 females). During the lockdown, internet use increased in 14.4% of cases, alcohol use in 20.2%, and tobacco use in 6.8%. In contrast, more participants reported a decrease in alcohol, tobacco or illicit drug use (25.9, 24, and 27.8% respectively). Anxiety was reported in 62.4% and depression in 20.2% of cases; 29.7% of participants reported an increase in anxiety and 25.5% an increase in depression. Depression was associated with an increase in internet and tobacco use. Tobacco and alcohol use were positively associated and an increase in use was more frequent in previous users of both substances. Maintaining a daily routine and relationships with family, being self-employed were associated to lower risks of depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Higher rates of internet use, as well as depression and anxiety, were observed during the lockdown. Gender was not a significant associated factor.

Problematic use of the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic: Good practices and mental health recommendations

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accelerated spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus came jurisdictional limitations on mobility of citizens and distinct alterations in their daily routines. Confined to their homes, many people increased their overall internet use, with problematic use of the internet (PUI) becoming a potential reason for increased mental health concerns. Our narrative review summarizes information on the extent of PUI during the pandemic, by focusing on three types: online gaming, gambling and pornography viewing. We conclude by providing guidance for mental health professionals and those affected by PUI (with an outline of immediate research priorities and best therapeutic approaches), as well as for the general public (with an overview of safe and preventative practices).

Gambling in Canada During the COVID Lockdown: Prospective National Survey

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.

Does Confinement Affect Treatment Dropout Rates in Patients With Gambling Disorder? A Nine-Month Observational Study

Background and Aims: COVID-19 pandemic and confinement have represented a challenge for patients with gambling disorder (GD). Regarding treatment outcome, dropout may have been influenced by these adverse circumstances. The aims of this study were: (a) to analyze treatment dropout rates in patients with GD throughout two periods: during and after the lockdown and (b) to assess clinical features that could represent vulnerability factors for treatment dropout.

Methods: The sample consisted of n=86 adults, mostly men (n=79, 91.9%) and with a mean age of 45years old (SD=16.85). Patients were diagnosed with GD according to DSM-5 criteria and were undergoing therapy at a Behavioral Addiction Unit when confinement started. Clinical data were collected through a semi-structured interview and protocolized psychometric assessment. A brief telephone survey related to COVID-19 concerns was also administered at the beginning of the lockdown. Dropout data were evaluated at two moments throughout a nine-month observational period (T1: during the lockdown, and T2: after the lockdown).

Results: The risk of dropout during the complete observational period was R=32/86=0.372 (37.2%), the Incidence Density Rate (IDR) ratio T2/T1 being equal to 0.052/0.033=1.60 (p=0.252). Shorter treatment duration (p=0.007), lower anxiety (p=0.025), depressive symptoms (p=0.045) and lower use of adaptive coping strategies (p=0.046) characterized patients who abandoned treatment during the lockdown. Briefer duration of treatment (p=0.001) and higher employment concerns (p=0.044) were highlighted in the individuals who dropped out after the lockdown. Treatment duration was a predictor of dropout in both periods (p=0.005 and p<0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: The present results suggest an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment dropout among patients with GD during and after the lockdown, being treatment duration a predictor of dropout. Assessing vulnerability features in GD may help clinicians identify high-risk individuals and enhance prevention and treatment approaches in future similar situations.

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown in Eating Disorders: A Multicentre Collaborative International Study

Background. The COVID-19 lockdown has had a significant impact on mental health. Patients with eating disorders (ED) have been particularly vulnerable. Aims. (1) To explore changes in eating-related symptoms and general psychopathology during lockdown in patients with an ED from various European and Asian countries; and (2) to assess differences related to diagnostic ED subtypes, age, and geography. Methods. The sample comprised 829 participants, diagnosed with an ED according to DSM-5 criteria from specialized ED units in Europe and Asia. Participants were assessed using the COVID-19 Isolation Scale (CIES). Results. Patients with binge eating disorder (BED) experienced the highest impact on weight and ED symptoms in comparison with other ED subtypes during lockdown, whereas individuals with other specified feeding and eating disorders (OFSED) had greater deterioration in general psychological functioning than subjects with other ED subtypes. Finally, Asian and younger individuals appeared to be more resilient. Conclusions. The psychopathological changes in ED patients during the COVID-19 lockdown varied by cultural context and individual variation in age and ED diagnosis. Clinical services may need to target preventive measures and adapt therapeutic approaches for the most vulnerable patients.

Gambling and the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

The impact of COVID-19 on mental health is tremendous. Since the beginning of the pandemic, several actors have raised concerns about the impact of the pandemic on gambling. Many actors fear a switch to online gambling in the context of the closure of many land-based gambling activities due to the restrictions imposed by public health authorities, such as physical distancing and lockdowns. This switch is worrisome because online gambling is considered a high-risk game. In that context, we need to know more about the impacts of the pandemic on gambling. This scoping review aims to summarize the literature that addresses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on gambling. To our knowledge, this is the first review to focus on this subject.

METHODS

An electronic literature search involving a strategy using keywords related to COVID-19 and gambling was conducted using MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Social Works Abstract, and Socio Index databases on February 25th 2021. This search was combined with a manual search in Google Scholar. To be included, studies had to discuss gambling and COVID-19 as a primary theme, be written in English, and be published in a peer-reviewed journal. After collecting the information, we collated, summarized, and reported the results using narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

The search identified 181 articles. After the removal of duplicates and screening, 24 full-text articles were reviewed and included in this study: 14 original articles, 8 commentaries or editorials, and 2 protocols. Contrary to expectations, preliminary evidence suggested that gambling behavior often either decreased or stayed the same for most gamblers during the pandemic. However, for the minority who showed increased gambling behavior, there was frequently an association with problem gambling.

CONCLUSION

The available literature on COVID-19 and gambling is limited and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gambling behavior and gambling problems is still unclear. Therefore, there is a need for more research on this topic, both qualitative and mixed methods studies, to better understand the impact of the pandemic on gambling. Considering the results, we need to be careful, particularly with problem gamblers and other subgroups of the population who seem to be more vulnerable to increased gambling habits during this pandemic period.

Potentially addictive behaviours increase during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In this study we aimed to assess multiple potentially addictive behaviours simultaneously for an extended period of time during the Covid-19 pandemic and their relation to distress.

METHODS

Data were collected every three days from Amazon's MTurk between 26.03.2020 and 02.10.2020 in repeated cross-sectional samples of 25 participants resulting in a total sample of 1430 US adults (60% men, mean age 36.6 years, SD = 11). General distress and Covid-19 related fear were assessed as well as self-reported frequency of eight potentially addictive behaviours: shopping (compulsive buying), alcohol, smoking, legal substances, illegal substances, gambling, gaming and overeating.

RESULTS

We found a positive relationship between time and the frequency of each self-reported potentially addictive behaviour ( τ = 0.15-0.23, all P < 0.001), and their frequency is linearly related to the intensity of (Covid-19-related and general) distress ( τ = 0.12-0.28, all P < 0.001). Most popular activities were gaming and compulsive buying, and the relative frequency of the behaviours remained about the same during the data collection period.

DISCUSSION

It is possible that people seek other maladaptive substitutes when other coping mechanisms (e.g. social recreation) are hindered depending on their level of distress.

CONCLUSION

Given the evidence for the increasing frequency of potentially addictive behaviours and their relevance to distress, special attention needs to be paid to reduce potential harmful effects of maladaptive coping during and after this demanding period.

Addictive behaviours among university students in Malaysia during COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Preventative measures to stop the spread of the COVID-19 have affected university students in an unprecedented manner. During the pandemic, their well-being and mental health are being shaped by online learning, home confinement, and uncertainty about their future. The overall aim of this study was to examine the frequency of three addictive-like behaviors (i.e., eating, social media, and online gaming) among university students, and their associations with mental health and self-regulation.

METHODS

This study was an online-based cross-sectional study involving 178 students from a public university in Sarawak. They were asked to complete a set of questionnaires that were used to measure substance, cigarette, and alcohol use, psychological distress, anxiety towards COVID-19, self-regulation, as well as food, online gaming, and social media addiction.

RESULTS

There was a significant increment in the duration of time spent on online gaming and social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of substance use was low, with 3.9% and 12% of the students reported using cigarettes and alcohol, respectively in the last 30 days. Significant positive correlations were found between the three addictive-like behaviors (food, gaming, and social media addiction) and psychological distress. Significant negative correlations were found between self-regulation and the three addictive-like behaviors as well as psychological distress.

CONCLUSION

Multidisciplinary efforts are needed to mitigate potential pre-existing and potential worsening addictive behaviors among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics and natural disasters.

A Longitudinal Study of Gambling Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden

This study aimed to investigate changes in gambling behaviors during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. Participants who had gambled within the past year were recruited from social media and the Swedish National Helpline (n = 325, mean age 39.8 years, 64.8% males, 31.3% with problem gambling) and completed an online survey measuring gambling behaviors, consequences of the pandemic in general and worries related to the pandemic. A sub-sample (n = 139) completed a follow-up survey, during the second wave. The results showed no significant associations between COVID-19 consequences (financial or increased isolation) and increased monthly gambling behavior. No major migrations were observed between game types. However, gambling on a high-risk game (OR = 7.44, p < 0.001) and worrying about mental health due to the pandemic (OR = 2.85, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with past year gambling problems and increased monthly gambling problems from the first to the second wave. More longitudinal research is needed in vulnerable populations, to fully understand the long-term consequences of the pandemic.

Match-Fixing Causing Harm to Athletes on a COVID-19-Influenced Gambling Market: A Call for Research During the Pandemic and Beyond

Match-fixing, although not a new problem, has received growing attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been reported in the media to have increased the risk of match-fixing events. Gambling is a well-documented addictive behavior, and gambling-related fraud, match-fixing, is a challenge to the world of sports. Most research on match-fixing has a judicial or institutional perspective, and few studies focus on its individual consequences. Nevertheless, athletes may be at particular risk of mental health consequences from the exposure to or involvement in match-fixing. The COVID-19 crisis puts a spotlight on match-fixing, as the world of competitive sports shut down or changed substantially due to pandemic-related restrictions. We call for research addressing individual mental health and psycho-social correlates of match-fixing, and their integration into research addressing problem gambling, related to the pandemic and beyond.

Effects of a national preventive intervention against potential COVID-19-related gambling problems. A self-report survey in online gamblers

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has been suspected to increase gambling problems in the population. Several governments early introduced COVID-19-specific interventions aiming to prevent gambling problems, but their effects have not been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to evaluate a Swedish COVID-19-related temporary legislation imposing an automated weekly deposit limit for online casino gambling.

METHODS

The study was an anonymous survey sent by the state-owned gambling operator to online gamblers (N=619, among whom 54 percent moderate-risk/problem gamblers) who reached the weekly limit on online gambling during the summer of 2020.

RESULTS

Sixty percent were aware of having been limited by a COVID-19-related deposit limit, and a minority (23 percent) perceived the intervention as fairly bad or very bad. Among those aware of the intervention, 39 percent believed this intervention decreased their overall gambling, whereas eight percent believed it rather increased it. However, 83 percent reported having gambled on more than one operator after the limit, and the most common gambling type reported to have increased at another operator was online casino (42 percent in moderate-risk/problem gamblers and 19 percent in others, p<0.001). Having increased gambling following the intervention was associated with being a moderate-risk/problem gambler, and by negative attitudes towards the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

A weekly deposit limit had relatively high acceptability, but the study highlights the limitations of a single-operator deposit limit, given the high number of gamblers also reporting to gamble on other operators, and the lower effect in clients with gambling problems.

CLINICALTRIAL

A scoping review of hard systems and tools that restrict money and cash for gambling

BACKGROUND

Gamblers engage in a range of "soft" financial options to limit access to money or cash for gambling (e.g., family looks after cash). Such barriers are easily overturned, resulting in a demand for financial systems and tools that offer "hard" restrictions on access to money and cash in a gambling context. The aim of this scoping review was to determine the attitudes and preferences of gamblers and their families on systems or tools to restrict access to money and cash, as well as the effectiveness of systems and tools that can be used to accomplish that goal.

METHODS

A systematic search of articles related to financial restrictions and gambling was conducted. Eligibility criteria included samples of gamblers or affected others and interventions targeted at money or cash restrictions in a gambling context. Soft financial barriers such as family involvement were excluded, as were limit-setting systems which focused on gambling expenditure in gambling venues.

RESULTS

Nine studies met the eligibility criteria, with three focused on financial systems (e.g., ban on credit betting) and six focused on removal of cash machines from gambling venues. The included literature was generally of low quality, with just two pre-post studies and seven cross-sectional or qualitative ones.

CONCLUSIONS

The included studies provided strong support for financial mechanisms to support gamblers and their families. Future studies need to involve multiple stakeholders to provide this type of support as well as to evaluate the holistic impact that such hard barriers can have on gambling and gambling-related harms.

Gambling and the COVID-19 pandemic in the province of Quebec (Canada): protocol for a mixed-methods study

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has major collateral impacts on mental health. Gambling is among the major public health issues that seems to have been transformed by the pandemic. In the province of Quebec in Canada, gambling is an important leisure activity. About two out of three adults are in Quebec gamble. The objective of this study is to draw a portrait of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on gamblers and to learn more about their experiences during the pandemic in the province of Quebec.

METHOD AND ANALYSIS

This study has a sequential explanatory mixed-method design in two phases. The first phase is a cross-sectional online survey with Quebec residents who are 18 years of age or older and have gambled at least once in the previous 12 months. The second phase will be a qualitative study. Semistructured interviews will be conducted with gamblers, family members, addiction counsellors and state representatives selected through purposing sampling.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study is one of the first mixed-methods studies on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on gambling. This study will generate new scientific knowledge on a worrisome public health issue, that is, gambling, and provide a better understanding of the experiences and gambling behaviours of gamblers during the pandemic. This study is funded by the Ministry of Health and Social Services of the Government of Quebec and was approved on 27 October 2020 by the Scientific and Research Ethics Committee of the CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS. This is a 2-year study that will be completed in June 2022.

Associations between dimensions of behaviour, personality traits, and mental-health during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom

The COVID-19 pandemic (including lockdown) is likely to have had profound but diverse implications for mental health and well-being, yet little is known about individual experiences of the pandemic (positive and negative) and how this relates to mental health and well-being, as well as other important contextual variables. Here, we analyse data sampled in a large-scale manner from 379,875 people in the United Kingdom (UK) during 2020 to identify population variables associated with mood and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to investigate self-perceived pandemic impact in relation to those variables. We report that while there are relatively small population-level differences in mood assessment scores pre- to peak-UK lockdown, the size of the differences is larger for people from specific groups, e.g. older adults and people with lower incomes. Multiple dimensions underlie peoples’ perceptions, both positive and negative, of the pandemic’s impact on daily life. These dimensions explain variance in mental health and can be statistically predicted from age, demographics, home and work circumstances, pre-existing conditions, maladaptive technology use and personality traits (e.g., compulsivity). We conclude that a holistic view, incorporating the broad range of relevant population factors, can better characterise people whose mental health is most at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people’s health and well-being. Here, the authors characterize self-reported impact of the pandemic (positive and negative) at a large scale in the United Kingdom, and show variance among individual circumstances.

Self-Exclusion from Gambling-A Measure of COVID-19 Impact on Gambling in a Highly Online-Based Gambling Market?

The COVID-19 pandemic, and related changes of the gambling market, have been suspected to affect the risk of problem gambling. Despite media attention and political concern with this risk, study findings hitherto have been mixed. Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling was introduced on a national level in Sweden as a harm reduction tool in 2019, and this self-exclusion service in Sweden is a rare example of such an official, nationwide, multi-operator system. The present study aimed to evaluate whether short-term self-exclusion patterns were affected by different phases of COVID-19-related impacts on gambling markets in 2020. During the lock-down of sports in the spring months of 2020, three-month self-exclusion was unaffected, and one-month self-exclusion appeared to increase, though not more than in a recent period prior to COVID-19. Despite large differences in sports betting practices between women and men, self-exclusion patterns during COVID-19 were not apparently gender-specific. Altogether, self-exclusion from gambling, to date, does not appear to be affected by COVID-19-related changes in society, in contrast with beliefs about such changes producing greater help-seeking behavior in gamblers. Limitations are discussed, including the fact that in a recently introduced system, seasonality aspects and the autocorrelated nature of the data made substantial statistical measures unfeasible.

Gambling and self-reported changes in gambling during COVID-19 in web survey respondents in Denmark

Problem gambling is among the public health hazards which may increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences on society. Results from a few countries have hitherto been diverse with respect to gambling during the pandemic. The present study aimed to study gambling behaviors during COVID-19 in Denmark, with the same methodology as previously used in Sweden, and also to provide a comparison to previously published Swedish data. A web survey was answered by 2,012 individuals, from December 2, to December 10, 2020. Four percent reported increased gambling habits, and three percent reported decreased gambling, during COVID-19. Self-reported increase in gambling was associated with spending more time at home, mental distress, and higher gambling severity. Prevalence of self-reported, increased gaming during COVID-19 was significantly lower in Denmark than in Sweden. Although the overall changes in gambling patterns during COVID-19 may be limited, people who increase their gambling during the pandemic may be at particular risk. Stakeholders should pay attention to individuals who report altered gambling habits during the pandemic.

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

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 and COVID-19: Initial Findings from a UK Sample

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK Government placed society on ‘lockdown’, altering the gambling landscape. This study sought to capture the immediate lockdown-enforced changes in gambling behaviour. UK adults (n = 1028) were recruited online. Gambling behaviour (frequency and weekly expenditure, perceived increase/decrease) was measured using a survey-specific questionnaire. Analyses compared gambling behaviour as a function of pre-lockdown gambling status, measured by the Brief Problem Gambling Scale. In the whole sample, gambling participation decreased between pre- and during-lockdown. Both gambling frequency and weekly expenditure decreased during the first month of lockdown overall, but, the most engaged gamblers did not show a change in gambling behaviour, despite the decrease in opportunity and availability. Individuals whose financial circumstances were negatively affected by lockdown were more likely to perceive an increase in gambling than those whose financial circumstances were not negatively affected. Findings reflect short-term behaviour change; it will be crucial to examine, at future release of lockdown, if behaviour returns to pre-lockdown patterns, or whether new behavioural patterns persist.