we are gambling more since covid-19
one in four canadians surveyed feel they might be developing an gambling addiction.
2 minute read
close up cropped photo of girl hands using her laptop for taking part in online poker tournament.
on june 1, the gambling research exchange (greo) released polling data showing that governments should be alarmed by the effect quarantine is having on canada’s gambling citizens.
a poll conducted by abacus data, an ontario-based market research company, revealed that a third of respondents felt they were spending too much money on online gambling during the pandemic and that they may be developing an addiction.
the poll surveyed 1,500 canadians between may 7 and 12. twenty per cent of those who gambled before the pandemic, and do so currently, say they are gambling more than usual, while six per cent report they are gambling “much more than usual.” forty-four per cent had logged in and bet one or two days in the last month.
thirty-five per cent reported that they’re overspending, and one in four feel they might be developing an addiction.
“it tells me that people are feeling higher levels of anxiety about gambling and putting that together with all the strains we’re feeling in covid isolation right now,” says trudy smit quosai, chief executive officer of greo. “it seems to be really compounding what we know about gambling harm.”
forty-six per cent of canadians reported losing money compared to 10 per cent who said they typically win. while those percentages are based on the participants’ own estimations, quosai says that gamblers tend to overestimate wins and underestimate losses, as well as chasing one’s losses being a sign of problematic gambling.
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“what’s troubling about these numbers is that overspending and addiction to gambling tend to be accompanied by financial strain, relationship disruption, and psychological distress,†said quosai in a press release. “all of these things are already a concern during covid-19 isolation, so there is a risk that harms in quarantine can be even higher than normal.â€
as well, more men have reported increases in gambling than women, which she says is unsurprising, as men “typically engage more in gambling and are more likely to have issues with it.” more than 80 per cent of online gamblers in canada are male, and only 17.6 per cent are female.â online casinos were the most popular gambling activity at 26 per cent, followed by sports betting, poker and horse racing.
since resources to help deal or cope with one’s addiction may be tight or unavailable during the pandemic, quosai recommends treating gambling the same as any other activity, like going to the movies, in terms of how much money one spends on it. she also suggests setting timers on a phone or computer, using devices define limits on how much time and resources are dedicated to gambling.
linked here are problem gambling helplines for every province and territory.
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