Researchers revealed a new study about COVID-19 effects on gambling behavior. It showed 1 in 3 people used to bet more frequently and about 1 in 6 people found a new interest in gambling this new year during primary lockdown last year.
Experts of Stirling and Glasgow Universities started to observe regular gambler’s behavior last year from March to June when the first phase of the lockdown had begun in the UK. At that time, all gambling authorities closed their activities, and professional sports circumstances were postponed.
The study says one-third of the number of regular gamblers had stopped gambling completely. But a few people might find gambling to investing their time in the lockdown. These people were marked at risk by the researchers. Also, a new report has been recently published by the Gambling Commission that reveals the activity of gambling has dropped off 42% in the retail sector last year. Besides, it has risen by 3% in online gambling.
The researcher’s team scheduled a webinar on March 10. The webinar charged no money for registration and had a duration from 14.00 to 15.00. In the webinar, they answered the questionnaires regarding this research and revealed more information.
Overview Changing
Researchers used YouGov online platform to collect data from regular gamblers to observe their acts before lockdown. This study observed 782 women and 3084 men from December 19 to February 2020 and from March 23 to mid-June 2020. From them, 17.3% of men and 16.5% of women started to play seeking new meaning for the time being.
The research shows that 5.4% of men initiated playing the lottery, and 3.5% initiated online betting. Among women, 3.4% initiated online bingo, and 6.5% initiated playing the lottery. The study says those who were started with a new event at that time are generally at risk from gambling-related complications.
Before this pandemic, sports betting took the place of the predominant activity as observed in the sports bettor’s groups (61.4% women, 78.8% men). But at present online betting is much more popular than before.
This research draws a crystal-clear presentation about the gambling industry in terms of the current situation. It could help the UK government to analyze gambling conditions and take proper measures.
