Gambling During the COVID-19 Crisis - A Cause for Concern

The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to worsen mental health problems in the general population, including increasing engagement in addictive behaviors. Here, we describe observations suggesting that the current crisis and its sequelae may worsen problem gambling. The current pandemic may impact financial and psychological well-being due to social isolation during spatial distancing, and these stressors in conjunction with substantial changes in gambling markets (land-based, online) during the pandemic may significantly influence gambling behaviors. This situation calls for rapid research initiatives in this area and preventive and regulatory measures by multiple stakeholders.Copyright © 2020 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Risk Factors for Gambling Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Gambling disorder is a common and problematic behavioral disorder associated with depression, substance abuse, domestic violence, bankruptcy, and high suicide rates. In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), pathological gambling was renamed "gambling disorder" and moved to the Substance-Related and Addiction Disorders chapter to acknowledge that research suggests that pathological gambling and alcohol and drug addiction are related. Therefore, this paper provides a systematic review of risk factors for gambling disorder. Systematic searches of EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science identified 33 records that met study inclusion criteria. A revised study acknowledges as risk factors for developing/maintaining a gambling disorder being a single young male, or married for less than 5 years, living alone, having a poor education, and struggling financially.

Gambling problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: The potential problems among youth

Background: The development of gambling addiction overgrows in line with technological advances and an increasingly widespread internet network so that online gambling reaches various islands in Indonesia. Internet use is increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic and has an impact on mental health, in which some people are gambling to relieve stress. The number of patients with Gambling Disorder (GD) has been increasing in clinical practice. Methods: We distributed The Indonesian version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) via google form nationwide through the internet and social media from April 18 to May 15, 2021, to subjects (n=5810, age 18 to 59 years) selected using non-probability sampling and incidental sampling. We were looking for the prevalence of GD in Indonesia and divided subjects into two characteristics GD and non-GD. Results: GD prevalence was determined using the Indonesian version of SOGS with a sample size of 5810 and obtained 57 subjects with GD with a cut-off point of 8. The prevalence of GD in Indonesia was 1 %. Most of the subjects were male (73.2%), aged 18-25 years (53.3%). The most frequent gambling was betting on sporting events (16%). The most widely used devices for gambling practice are smartphones (67,4%). Conclusions: Internet use is increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic and has an impact on mental health. Some people were gambling to relieve stress. The prevalence of GD in Indonesia was 1%.

Gambling Fallacies, problem gambling, and the role of pandemic specific factors

Gambling Fallacies (GF) are a collection of gambling specific cognitive errors that lead to erroneous beliefs about how gambling works. While previous studies have demonstrated that gambling fallacies are one factor that contributes to the development and maintenance of gambling disorder, longitudinal studies have demonstrated that endorsement of these fallacies can fluctuates across time. The factors that influence changes in level of GF are less understood. The current study examined levels of GF in a national cohort of adults, with two aims: 1) examining the associations between GF levels and type of gambler (non-gambler, non-problem gambler, low-risk gambler, moderate-risk gambler and problem gambler), and 2) identifying the impact of COVID specific variables on GF endorsement. This sample (n = 2,790) was recruited from Leger Opinion's registered online panellists. Respondents completed a survey of gambling involvement and individual difference variables at 6-months intervals: baseline (6-months before the pandemic);during the nation-wide lockdown in Canada;and 6-months after the lockdown. The results of this study indicate that, while somewhat more prevalent among problem gamblers, GF are common among gamblers of all types. However, level of GF endorsement did vary significantly at each 6-month interval in this sample and multivariate analysis indicate that GF endorsement was a significant predictor of increased gambling severity category over time. Also, a bidirectional relationship was evidenced as problem gambling and greater gambling involvement were significant predictors of greater endorsement of GF. COVID specific changes in health and level of social interaction also significantly predicted greater GF endorsement.

The impact of forced abstinence on gambling: A natural ABA design study

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and responses used to mitigate the spread such as selective closure of non-essential businesses, have been far-reaching. Some of these impacts include changes in health, economic, social and recreation. Included among other non-essential business, in-person gambling venues were closed across Canada. Yet, online gambling opportunities remained available, making this period both a historical first in Canada, and a natural experiment. The current study examined quantifiable ramifications of the sudden forced abstinence from in-person gambling during the nation-wide lockdown in Canada, and what changes occurred six-months later upon reopening. For this cohort study, pre-pandemic base line data was provided six-month before the lockdown by online panel participants (n = 2,790), who were then re-surveyed during the national lockdown and again six-months postlockdown. Nearly one-third of gamblers reported a complete cessation of gambling during the lockdown period. For those who continued gambling, quantitative data indicated signifi-cant decreases on all gambling engagement measures: frequency, time spent in gambling sessions, money spent, and the number of game types played. This was followed by significant increases on each engagement measure six-months post-lockdown. Although these increases did not return to pre-pandemic engagement levels. Problem gambling within the whole sample generally declined during lockdown, however, significant increases in highrisk gambling were evidenced six-months later. In fact, engaging in online gambling and COVID-specific changes in health, employment, and social isolation across the closure and re-opening periods were independent predictors for classification as a problem gambler sixmonths after the lockdown.

Characteristics that predict engagement in instant win games

While gambling problems have long been investigated in association with electronic gambling machines, recent attention has focused on engagement with instant lottery games. Instant win game engagement has been identified as one robust predictor of increased concurrent and subsequent problem gambling (see: Grusser et al., 2007;Short et al., 2015;Stark et al., 2021;Williams, Leonard, et al., 2021;Williams, Leonard, et al., 2021). This emergent finding contrasts with historical perceptions that lottery games are low risk. It is important to understand the individual characteristics of those who engage in instant lottery games, the potential harms associated with engagement, and the biopsychosocial profile of those at greatest risk for experiencing harms. This study sought to identify the characteristics that predict engagement versus non-engagement using a longitudinal data set, namely the AGRI National COVID Project online panel participant data (n = 3449), collected in Fall 2019 (baseline data for this study) and in Spring 2020 (during the nation-wide pandemic lockdown). Results indicate that, pre-pandemic factors including gender, employment status, household financial status, greater involvement in gambling, and elevated problem gambling scores, contributed significantly to the delineation of those who did - versus did not - engage in instant win games during the national lockdown. Additional research is required to understand both, the individual characteristics that lead to susceptibility for problems with instant win games, and the role of environmental factors including social and economic strain experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in the manifestation of problems related with instant win game engagement.

Influence of bingo halls temporary closure due to Covid-19 on gamblers' reported perceptions and behaviours

Background: In 2020, the Covid forced the shutdown of Bingo halls for a few months in the province of Quebec, Canada. This communication describes some changes it had on the clientele of bingo players, comprised mainly of women who were retired. Method: A longitudinal design served to examine reported behaviours and perceptions of Bingo players on different variables including Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) scores, consequences on different life aspects, internet gambling activity and money spent on other forms of gambling than bingo. Graduate students conducted phone interviews on two occasions: (1) during the summer of 2019 and (2) during the summer of 2020, three months after the bingo halls closure (n = 211). Results: At follow-up, as compared to pre-closure, bingo players were less numerous in proportion to report moderate to high risks of problem gambling and more numerous to gamble on the Internet. At both measures, the majority of players did not report negative consequences on most aspects of their life. There was no difference between measures on weekly money spent on other gambling activities than bingo. Conclusion: Based on this longitudinal study, gambling characteristics reported by Quebec participants playing in bingo sites were different after bingo halls closure. A discussion will explore the important links between money spent in bingo halls and the CPGI categorisation of bingo player. The discussion will also identify study limitations.

Women and Behavioural Addiction - New paths in research and treatment

Symposium summary: It becomes more and more obvious that a gendered approach to research, prevention and treatment is highly relevant to gain a better understanding of and be more responsive to female-specific aspects of behavioural addiction. Literature and studies on Women and Gambling Disorder and other Behavioural Addiction are scarce, both in Europe and all over the world. Moreover, the existing data are not specific to women but inferred from mostly male samples. Nevertheless, more and more women are affected by pathological gambling and other non-substance related addictions. Obviously, women have a crucial role in family and society, and their gambling or other addictive behaviours, which are often underestimated, may have a deep impact on their social and personal life. One key issue is that women often experience great difficulty in finding appropriate treatment services. Most health clinics are not female friendly, and treatment programs very rarely offer female-specific treatment approaches. In 2020 a pandemic struck all over the world. It deeply affected our lives and existence, our physical and mental health, in many ways. B.A. played an important role in women's life during the various COVID-19 lockdowns. Women paid high costs in this period and taking care of their health is now even more important. It's crucial to learn from your experiences as researchers and clinicians and to gather data from all over the world to enrich our shared understanding of these issues, to compare, discuss and improve research and treatment for the women on whose behalf we are working on.

Motivation to gamble, boredom proneness and the severity of gambling problems as predictors of online gambling beginning during the COVID-19 pandemics among gamblers: Results of a longitudinal study in Poland

The present study aimed to look for predictors of gamblers' engaging in online gambling during the COVID-19 epidemic. Motivation to gamble, boredom proneness and the severity of gambling problems were treated as potential predictors. Polish offline gamblers (N = 610) were studied employing an online survey. Changes in online and offline gambling trajectory during the epidemic and the severity of gambling problems were assessed in 3 waves of the longitudinal study. Gamblers who started playing online during the outbreak had a lower coping, enhancement, and social motivation to gamble as well as lower severity of gambling problems than pre-pandemic online gamblers. However, they were more prone to boredom and were driven by higher financial and social gambling motives than players who had not started playing online during the epidemic.

Cross-addiction risk typologies and their connection with COVID-19 anxiety: A latent class profiling approach

Background: 'Cross-addiction' involves a person substituting one form of addictive behaviour for another. While various cross-addiction presentations have been described throughout the literature (drugs to alcohol, alcohol to smoking, gambling to sex), minimal research has explored whether different types of cross-addiction risk exist. We examined the co-occurrence of substance and behavioral addictions and whether addiction profiles differed in COVID-19-related anxiety. Methods: We recruited 968 participants through social media and online forums in the latter half of 2020. We assessed 10 addictive behaviours and COVID-19-related anxiety with validated instruments. We used Latent Class/Profiling analyses with mean scores on addictive behavior scales to identify different risk profiles and compared proportions who met cut-off scores for each disorder between classes. We conducted t-tests to examine differences in COVID-19 anxiety between classes. Results: Two distinct risk profiles were identified, Cross-Addiction Low-Risk (57.4%) and Cross-Addiction High-Risk (42.6%), with the high-risk profile having higher average scores across all addictive behaviours and more participants who met the diagnostic cut-off for multiple addictions. No individuals in the low-risk profile met cut-off scores for alcohol, drug, or gambling disorders. T-test showed significantly higher levels of COVID-19 anxiety in the high-risk compared to the low-risk profile Discussion & Conclusions: Profiles of those at-risk for addictions do not distinguish between type of addiction so much as severity of multiple addictions and addictions having more severe health impacts. Identification of individuals at risk for multiple addictions has important implications for targeting prevention, treatment, and further research.

Gambling and COVID-19 - Swedish national gambling data from a state-owned gambling sports and casino operator

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.

Gambling problems among Lebanese adults: Arabic-Language version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) scale validation and correlates.

BACKGROUND: In the DSM-5, gambling disorder is recognized as the only behavioral addiction. The number of people with mental health disorders is increasing in Lebanon, especially since the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the most used tool in the world in terms of pathological gambling, has never been translated to Arabic, culturally adapted in a way that suits the Lebanese population and validated. This study's objectives were to validate an Arabic-language version of the SOGS and assess factors associated with probable pathological gambling among Lebanese adults. METHODS: This study was carried out between February and April 2021, during the lockdown period imposed by the Lebanese government. A total of 601 individuals participated in this study by filling the online questionnaire. RESULTS: A factor analysis, using the principal component analysis, was performed on the SOGS scale items. The SOGS items were able to explain 73.35% of the variance, with an internal reliability of KR20 = 0.947 for the total scale. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the results of the factor analysis. More problematic alcohol use (aOR = 1.17), and more depression (aOR = 1.13) were significantly associated with higher odds of probable pathological gambling, whereas females (aOR = 0.27) had significantly lower odds of probable pathological gambling compared to males. CONCLUSION: Our study validated an Arabic-language version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) for use in Lebanon, and showed some factors associated with probable pathological gambling (male gender, alcohol use disorder and depression). This reliable and valid version will hopefully contribute towards better screening for gambling disorder in Lebanon.