ABSTRACT
The lockdown of sports and gambling venues during COVID-19 caused a fear of increased gambling on other online gambling types, with a risk for transfer to more addictive gambling than otherwise. This study aimed to analyze changes in gambling activity during COVID-19-affected periods. This study includes gambling tracking data from the Swedish state-owned gambling operator Svenska Spel Sports & Casino (sports betting, online casino, online bingo, poker). It included all individuals who gambled at least once from 10/02/2020 to 19/07/2020. The study period was divided into four periods, depending on their expected level of COVID-19 impact on gambling opportunities: pre-COVID period, and three COVID-affected periods (sports cancellation, emerging return of sports, substantial return of sports). Mixed models were used to analyze changes in gambling activity for each gambling type and for each period compared to the pre-COVID period. Models were estimated for two weekly gambling variables (wagers and number of gambling days) for each gambling type and adjusted for gender, age and initial gambling involvement (gambled or not during the first three weeks of the study). Results types differed markedly between gambling types. Sports betting followed the pattern of an apparent decrease and a gradual normalization but end levels significantly below pre-pandemic levels. In contrast, online poker and bingo frequency/ intensity increased upon sports lockdown but were not sustainable. Regarding online casino, no significant change was observed. Dramatic changes in the content of the gambling market may divert some gamblers to other gambling types, but maintained effects could not be demonstrated.