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

ABSTRACT

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.