Has Online Gambling Increased?
Gambling Increased
In late January, Google searches for “casinos” reached an all-time high. But the first lockdown brought the gambling industry to a screeching halt and revenue fell to nil. Meanwhile, online gambling increased. The Gambling Commission in the United Kingdom says its latest data shows a spike in virtual sports betting, poker, and online gambling. Nevertheless, experts are concerned about the impact of this growth, citing several factors that could cause problem gambling.
The numbers are alarming. It is estimated that over half of the world’s population gambles each year. The industry is big business. Melco, the largest gambling company in the world, had US$5.03 billion in revenue in 2019. Meanwhile, online gambling is growing at a staggering rate. The gambling industry is estimated to have a compound annual growth rate of 11.5% between 2020 and 2027. However, research suggests that many people will not seek help until they have already reached a point where they are suffering from gambling addiction.
Despite the widespread popularity of online gambling, the studies examining problem gambling are not uniformly representative. The studies are limited by the convenience sample and low response rates. Despite the lack of reliable longitudinal studies, results point to a connection between COVID-19 and online gambling. Problem gambling rates are generally associated with higher vulnerability and severity and with males, younger age groups, and boredom. Public health messages can target these populations with targeted interventions.
Has Online Gambling Increased?
The prevalence of online gambling among young adults has increased dramatically, with 20% of college students betting on sports games at least once a month. However, most online gambling is done from the comfort of home. But some research shows that this trend has not changed much since last year. The number of young people who play online poker has also increased, as reported by Annenberg’s Public Policy Center. One study found that one in five of these young people had gambled outside the home – while the number of those who gambled on the internet per week remained constant at 3%.
The closure of physical gambling venues led to a reduction in the overall frequency and expenditure of gambling. Two studies examined the factors contributing to the decrease in gambling. One used data from an online gambling provider. This data was more reliable than retrospective self-report, but did not capture all forms of informal gambling with other providers. In contrast, all other studies used self-reports, and a variety of surveys assessed the engagement level in different types of gambling in different geographical regions. Generally, reports assessing recent gambling are reliable.
While there are no conclusive findings, the impact of COVID-19 is significant and varied across jurisdictions. It may decrease gambling problems in some jurisdictions and increase it in others, but the longer-term consequences of this measure are not known. A follow-up study would help to better understand these factors and determine whether the changes were permanent. Further research is needed to determine how the pandemic affected gambling. It will be useful to examine the impact of COVID-19 on gambling and other types of gambling.