A study of Ontario residents shows that the isolation caused by Covid drove many to gamble online more and to take more risky financial decisions while doing so. Young males and those with Asian backgrounds were found to be at highest risk.
The study was done by the Responsible Gambling Council’s (RGC) Centre for the Advancement of Best Practices and the Ontario Gambling Research Society.
The study, released in April, included data from surveys taken during three separate Covid waves, when many residents were virtually confined to their homes for months by order of the provincial government. It was given to more than 2,000 Ontario gamblers 18 and over during 2020.
RGC CEO Shelley White said, “We found that a sizeable percentage of individuals increased their online gambling involvement during this period, spending more time and money and playing on more sites.” She added, “Those who were at highest risk of moderate to high risk for problem gambling were individuals with severe anxiety or depression, loss of income, gambling while intoxicated, gambling to earn income or to cope with their mental health issues. Young adults, 18-35 years, especially males, and individuals from East Asian and South Asian backgrounds were at the highest risk.”
During this time most land-based businesses, including casinos, were closed, leading many to seek entertainment online.
The study identified high risk motives such as gambling to salve negative feelings and to try to earn back lost income.
