The impact of COVID-19 on gambling behaviour
IAGR partner, Greo, provides IAGR members with a snapshot of regulatory approaches to online gambling worldwide.
Greo is an independent knowledge translation and exchange organisation with two decades of international experience helping organisations improve their programs, policies and practices by harnessing the power of evidence and stakeholder insight.
This month, Greo have shared a selection of research around the impact of the global pandemic on gambling behaviour.
COVID-19-related measures around the world had people staying home to self-isolate and, in many cases, required the closure of land-based venues. These shifts led some people who gamble to migrate to online gambling. Overall, gambling frequency declined during lockdown periods, partly due to venues being closed. However, some research indicates that during and following COVID 19 lockdowns, participation in several forms of online gambling grew among people who gamble regularly. Online gambling is likely to increase the risk of gambling-related harm. This is due to factors such as online gambling’s instant and 24-hour availability, the solitary nature of online play, and the use of credit to gamble.
Research on the shift to more online gambling, and measures related to treatment and prevention put in place during the pandemic, provide several insights and options that regulators can apply more broadly to prevent and reduce harms from gambling.
Research to inform action
Below is a selection of research article summaries that explore the impact of COVID-19 on gambling behaviour and related harms:
- A review of the impact of COVID-19 on gambling behaviours
- A review of survey studies on the impacts of COVID-19 on gambling
- Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on gambling frequency in the UK
- Did people who play online casino change their gambling during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Change in online gambling during COVID-19 is associated with poorer mental health over time and financial concerns
Evidence-informed action
Below are examples of gambling harm prevention and treatment measures jurisdictions enacted to prevent and address gambling-related harms during COVID-19. These measures may continue to be useful for regulators to consider as we navigate our increasingly digital gambling landscapes.
Sweden
In Sweden, temporary legislation came into effect to prevent gambling problems during COVID-19. The state-owned operator imposed a maximum deposit limit of 5000 SEK per week ($473 USD/€470 EUR) for online casino and land-based electronic gaming machines. Among participants who were aware of the regulation, around 2 in 5 (38.7%) people thought it had decreased their overall gambling. A few participants (7.8%) thought it had increased their overall gambling. Most participants (82.5%) gambled with other operators after reaching their limit, which highlights the need for coordinated measures across operators.
Belgium
The Belgian Gaming Commission introduced a €500 weekly deposit limit for customers on all licensed websites in the country in April 2020. Customers were able to immediately decrease their limit further through requests made to individual operators. Customers who reduced their spending limit could raise it again to any amount up to €500, however these requests took three days to take effect.
Spain
The Spanish government adopted temporary restrictions on online gaming from April to June 2020. The measures saw bonuses prohibited and advertising restricted to airing between 1:00 am and 5:00 am. The measures were put in place to protect minors, young adults, and people with problem gambling from increasing their online gambling participation. Similar restrictions came into effect permanently in November 2020.
- Spain restricts iGaming advertising amid COVID-19 pandemic
- Spain amends ad controls to ban bonuses and sponsorships
Finland
In Finland, the COVID-19 lockdown led to the closure of in-person help services for gambling and instead moved services online. Participants who received help services for gambling problems suggested that new online tools (e.g., online chats) should continue to be available even after lockdown was over. More generally, participants suggested that low threshold services (i.e., services that minimize barriers to use) should be maintained.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, researchers explored how COVID-19 affected addiction treatment from the perspective of service providers. Service providers noted that more clients presented problems with internet gambling, gaming, social media, and pornography. A shift to distance-based care led to improved access to treatment for some clients. However, online treatment created barriers for clients with poor or no internet connection, no webcam or video-capable phone, and a lack of a safe, private, or quiet space at home. As well, clinicians who used phone or text to deliver treatment found it hard to engage and build rapport with clients.
