Online gambling soared during lockdown

Although overall men and women gambled less frequently during the lockdown, partly due to betting shops being closed, some forms of gambling increased.

Bristol: Regular gamblers were more than six times more likely to gamble online compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research.

The study, led by the University of Bristol and published in the Journal of Gambling Studies, showed regular male gamblers were particularly prone to gambling more often online during the public lockdown in the UK, compared to their previously reported gambling habits.

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Although overall men and women gambled less frequently during the lockdown, partly due to betting shops being closed, some forms of gambling increased. For instance, usage of online gambling, including poker, bingo, and casino games, grew six-fold among regular gamblers. Respondents who gambled occasionally were still found to be more than twice as likely than before to gamble online. Those who struggled financially before the pandemic were more likely to report gambling during the lockdown.

Lead author Professor Alan Emond, of the University of Bristol’s Medical School, said: “This study provides unique real-time insights into how people’s attitudes and gambling behaviour changed during lockdown when everyone was stuck inside and unable to participate in most social activities. The findings reveal that although many forms of gambling were restricted, a minority of regular gamblers significantly increased their gambling and betting online. As with so many repercussions of the pandemic, inequalities have been exacerbated and particularly vulnerable groups were worse affected.”