Changes in gambling patterns nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden

View Open Access Article View Snapshot Back to Search Results

snapshot summaries

Author(s): Håkansson, Anders ; Widinghoff, Carolina

Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: June 10, 2021

In this study, the researchers examined changes in gambling patterns around nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. A total of 2029 adults completed an online survey in November 2020. The results showed that 6% of participants gambled more and 4% gambled less. An increase in gambling was associated with more severe gambling problems, greater alcohol use, and higher mental distress. Moderate-risk and problem gambling were common among people who increased their gambling. Only 30% of people were aware of the temporary gambling regulations during COVID-19. Awareness was much higher among people with moderate-risk or problem gambling and those who had self-excluded before.

Citation: Håkansson, A., & Widinghoff, C. (2021). Changes of gambling patterns during COVID-19 in Sweden, and potential for preventive policy changes. A second look nine months into the pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2342. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052342

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052342

Keywords: COVID-19 ; gambling disorder ; legislation ; policy ; problem gambling

Topics: Information for Policy Makers

Conceptual Framework Factors: Exposure - Adaptation ; Environment - Social and Economic Impacts ; Exposure - Accessibility ; Gambling Environment ; Environment - Public Policy ; Gambling Exposure

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: Sweden

Study Population: Adults aged 18 and older (N = 2029)

Sampling Procedure: The researchers recruited participants through a voluntary web panel of Userneeds. The survey was designed in collaboration with Patient Information Broker AB (PIB AB) and I-Mind Consulting AB, who were responsible for data management. Participants were recruited to be representative of the age and gender groups of the web panel members. The data collection occurred from November 20 to 29, 2021.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the general, non-project-speciﬁc research funding of the ﬁrst author, which comes from AB Svenska Spel (the Swedish state-owned gambling operator) and the Regional Hospital System of Region Skåne, Sweden.