Being a Gambler during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study with Italian Patients and the Effects of Reduced Exposition

Widinghoff

2021

Gambling has been suggested as one of the potential mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. In earlier self-report studies, increased gambling has been reported by a limited proportion of respondents characterized with a high degree of problem gambling. The present study, carried out with the same methodology and in the same geographical setting, around seven months later in the pandemic, aimed to repeat and to extend the understanding of potential gambling changes in the population during COVID-19. An anonymous sample of web panel members was assessed, altogether 2029 individuals (52% women, 10% moderate-risk or problem gamblers). Results indicated that 6% reported increased gambling, and 4% reported decreased gambling during the pandemic. Having increased gambling was associated with more severe gambling problems (OR 2.78, 95% confidence interval 2.27–3.40), increased alcohol consumption (OR 2.92, 1.71–4.98), and psychological distress (OR 3.38, 1.83–6.23). In the group reporting increased gambling during COVID-19, moderate-risk/problem gambling was very common (62%). Recent governmental policy interventions in the area were known to a minority (30%) of respondents, but awareness of the regulations was markedly more common in individuals with at least moderate-risk gambling (56%) and in self-excluders (78%). Reporting of any perceived influence from policy changes was low (3%), and divided between those reporting an increasing and decreasing effect, respectively. Increased gambling may be a consequence of COVID-19-related changes in everyday lives of individuals with problematic gambling patterns. Thus, a vulnerable group demonstrates higher rates of gambling migration and psychosocial problems, and may require particular attention in screening and treatment contexts, and further scientific evaluations.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Changes of Gambling Patterns during COVID-19 in Sweden, and Potential for Preventive Policy Changes. A Second Look Nine Months into the Pandemic

Widinghoff

2021

“…For example, lifestyle changes, financial crisis, and unemployment may increase the severity of gambling [5]. In contrast, it has also been reported that the distinct periods of society lockdown may instead be relieving to problems gamblers, as specific gambling opportunities are reduced [28]. While this goes beyond the present study, these potential changes may need to be explored further in future studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

No Apparent Increase in Treatment Uptake for Gambling Disorder during Ten Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic—Analysis of a Regional Specialized Treatment Unit in Sweden

Åkesson²,

Grudet

et al. 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on society has been suspected to affect gambling behaviors. Potentially, the pandemic crisis may result in increased problem gambling, for example, due to COVID-19-related psychological distress, unemployment, and financial difficulties. In addition, the cancellation of sports in early parts of the crisis has been suspected to alter gambling behaviors. Policy makers have called for action and, in some cases, have changed regulations, and media have reported possible increases in treatment seeking. However, research data are hitherto lacking. The present study assessed the treatment uptake at a regional specialized gambling-disorder unit in the healthcare system of Region Skåne, Sweden. Number of patients, treatment contacts, and patterns of rescheduling or cancellations of appointments were quantified for each month, January–December 2020, and compared to corresponding months of 2018 and 2019. Possible trends were analyzed, using an interrupted time-series analysis. Results did not indicate an increase in treatment uptake for gambling disorder during the months of COVID-19 impact in Sweden. The proportion of digital treatment increased, but total treatment uptake was unaffected by the pandemic. In conclusion, during the first ten months of the pandemic in Sweden, no obvious increase in treatment uptake for gambling disorder could be seen. Moreover, longer follow-up may be necessary in order to see if effects of worsening socioeconomic conditions may be a possible long-term risk factor of increased gambling after COVID-19.

“…In addition, recent data from the present setting demonstrated that not all self-excluders are problem gamblers, and vice versa—many problem gamblers are not self-excluded [ 5 , 19 ]. Also, it should be borne in mind that individuals with a gambling disorder may also have perceived the early parts of the pandemic as relieving, if their gambling problem was primarily related to gambling types which were unavailable, therefore possibly facilitating abstinence in these individuals [ 20 ]. Likewise, in previous survey studies in the present setting, the subgroup of gamblers who reported a decrease in gambling during COVID-19 was, in size, comparable to the proportion reporting an increase.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Likewise, in previous survey studies in the present setting, the subgroup of gamblers who reported a decrease in gambling during COVID-19 was, in size, comparable to the proportion reporting an increase. Thus, the absence of dramatic changes in treatment seeking [ 21 ] or self-exclusion may be a result of counter-acting changes in different subgroups of gamblers, reflecting the mixed picture of COVID-19’s impact on gambling as either concerning or, paradoxically, relieving [ 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Widinghoff

Berge

2021

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.