Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on gambling frequency in the UK

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Author(s): Sharman, Steve ; Roberts, Amanda ; Bowden-Jones, Henrietta ; Strang, John

Journal: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: January 11, 2022

Many gambling activities were restricted in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Opportunities for gambling in the UK were available in online venues and in the form of lottery and scratch tickets only. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of gambling pre-lockdown and during lockdown. The researchers surveyed 1028 UK adults in April 2020. Generally, gambling frequency decreased from before to during the lockdown. However, people with potential problem gambling continued to gamble several times a week and daily. People who experienced a change in their job situation (e.g., job loss) were more likely to report that their gambling increased during the lockdown.

Citation: Sharman, S., Roberts, A., Bowden-Jones, H., & Strang, J. (2021). Gambling and COVID-19: Initial findings from a UK sample. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00545-8

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00545-8

Keywords: behavioural addictions ; COVID-19 ; disordered gambling ; gambling behaviours ; gambling participation

Conceptual Framework Factors: Environment - Social and Economic Impacts ; Environment - Socio-Political Environment ; Psychological Factors ; Gambling Environment ; Environment - Public Policy

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: United Kingdom

Study Population: 1028 UK adults who were engaged in social distancing during the COVID-19 lockdown

Sampling Procedure: Voluntary response sampling – participants were recruited through Prolific Academic.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the National Addiction Centre, which is part of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health.