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Impact of COVID-19 on Gambling: Shifts from Land-Based to Online Platforms and Potential Risks

The response to the COVID-19 epidemic has had a profound impact on commercial gambling in several jurisdictions across the world. Numerous land-based gambling establishments, including casinos, bingo halls, horse racing tracks, restaurants and clubs with electronic gambling machines (EGMs), lottery retailers, betting shops, and poker rooms, were compelled to close, particularly during the first phase of the 'lockdown' in March and April 2020 [1-4]. Since the initial lockdown, several venues have reopened totally or partially, while others have remained open and closed during the second wave of restrictions. The future availability of gaming is unclear and unpredictable, just like the course of the pandemic. This study evaluates the current evidence on the impact of these effects on individuals.

1. INTRODUCTION

Online gambling sites continued to operate while land-based gaming became less accessible. According to certain media sources, business has thrived, and the pandemic has helped to promote this increasingly popular gaming format [5,6]. Online gambling sites often offer a wide range of gambling options, including lottery ticket sales, casino table games like roulette, blackjack, and craps, slot machines, online poker, and sports betting. With the exception of sports betting, which was impacted by the termination or decline of professional sports globally, all other categories have been consistently offered from both legally regulated and unregulated site providers. To reduce possible harms, some authorities have taken initiatives like as limiting advertising [7] and setting a daily betting cap. Gambling, while a popular recreational activity, has the potential to harm the gambler, their family, and the community [9,10]. It is seen as a potentially addictive habit, which in some cases can develop to gambling disorder (GD). GD is distinguished by the continuing of gambling despite unfavourable consequences, a greater priority for gambling over other life activities, and a loss of control over gambling participation [11]. Individuals with GD bet more frequently across all gambling types, while faster-paced forms of gambling, such as EGMs and certain casino table games, are deemed particularly harmful Online gambling is considered to be a particularly problematic gambling format, given the relative lack of constraints on how and when it can be accessed, its solitary nature, and the wide variety of types of gambling available. Research consistently shows higher rates of GD among online gamblers versus individuals who only gamble at land-based venues. However, the direction of causality is unclear. It is possible that online gambling is associated with GD mostly because it provides additional and more flexible opportunities for individuals with GD to access gambling versus directly facilitating GD. Consistent with this, online gamblers tend to gamble at land-based venues as well as online. Nonetheless, one significant concern raised with respect to the pandemic lockdown of land-based venues is that individuals will migrate to online gambling formats for the first time, and that this involvement will increase vulnerability to negative harms and GD [15,16]. Similarly, another concern is that individuals who already gamble online will increase their engagement, which might push them into problematic gambling. People's urge to gamble may be influenced by the pandemic's social and economical repercussions, in addition to its impact on availability. The stress and social isolation caused by the pandemic can lead to gambling as an emotional escape, which is a well-documented and common incentive for gambling linked to GD [12]. These effects may potentially increase relapse among patients in recovery from GD [17,18]. Job uncertainty and unemployment might lead to people turning to gambling to help them manage their bills [19]. Speculative stock trading has been characterized as a form of gambling activity. During the shutdown, stock trading became a popular distraction for new investors, according to reports, and popular trading sites added millions. The closing of land-based gaming sites may also have a favourable influence on people with GD. One potential beneficial effect is that the reduction in gaming availability encourages people to limit or stop gambling [22]. In Canada, calls to the Ontario gambling helpline decreased when the casinos closed [23], indicating that fewer people were having acute gaming-related problems. The pandemic is still ongoing, and any initial effects on gambling and GD may or may not last as the pandemic progresses and ends. Although many research designs, such as qualitative and mixed methodologies, can aid in understanding the effects, cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys are critical [15]. The purpose of this review is to identify and describe survey data.

2. METHODS

Database searches were conducted during the first week of January 2020 to uncover peer-reviewed journal publications and other relevant research reports analyzing changes in individuals' gambling behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bibliographic databases searched were PsycINFO [via OVID], Medline [via OVID], PubMed, and the Web of Science Core Collection. Additional sources searched were the Gambling Research Exchange's Evidence Centre database, Google Scholar, and PsyArXiv preprints. Searches used a combination of keyword and controlled search phrases (e.g., Medical Subject Headings), resulting in the identification of 34 unique publications or reports. Seventeen publications and reports met the following criteria: data collection from individual gamblers, publication after March 2020, COVID effect assessment, and English language.