Abstract
This study aimed to explore changes in gambling behaviours and gambling disorder (GD) treatment uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic among those with a heightened vulnerability to gambling-related harm. This was a single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective case series study assessing gambling behaviours and GD counselling participation among a vulnerable population sector following the COVID-19 shutdown. The clinical records of clients at a community substance use disorder (SUD) treatment center were explored (N = 67). Eight clients (n = 8) had satisfied the objective criteria, and were qualified for data exploration and analysis of gambling activities and GD treatment participation following the COVID-19 shutdown. All clients in the study belonged to subgroups at an elevated risk for gambling-related harm, with a mean duration of gambling problems of 9.5 years. Following the COVID-19 shutdown, an increase in gambling activities was noted in five cases. Migration to online gambling was noted in three cases. In two cases, no change in gambling activities was noted, and a reduction of gambling activities was noted in one case. In seven cases, no screening for gambling problems prior to current SUD program was noted. None had a history of, nor were currently engaged in counselling for gambling problems. The COVID-19 crisis and associated increase in gambling participation, coupled with a diminutive gambling counselling uptake during the pandemic, present an opportunity to rethink current behavioural addictions service delivery model for those with an increased vulnerability to gambling-related harm. Further investigation of the changes in gambling participation, and a closer look at optimizing GD service delivery among vulnerable population sectors during the COVID-19 crisis is warranted.
Highlights
Gambling-related harm, defined as the adverse impacts from gambling on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities, and society (Wardle et al, 2019), is increasingly identified as a potential public health problem within leading medical and scientific communities (e.g., Griffiths, 2017; ‘‘Problem gambling is a public health concern,’’ 2017; ‘‘Science has a gambling problem,’’ 2018)
In response to calls to action by researchers and stakeholders worldwide to supply essential data on problem gambling behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic (Håkansson et al, 2020), we aimed to explore gambling participation and gambling disorder (GD) treatment uptake among those with a heightened vulnerability to gambling-related harm during the COVID-19 shutdown
All clients in the study belonged to subgroups at an elevated risk for gamblingrelated harm, with a mean duration of gambling problems of 9.5 years
Summary
Gambling-related harm, defined as the adverse impacts from gambling on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities, and society (Wardle et al, 2019), is increasingly identified as a potential public health problem within leading medical and scientific communities (e.g., Griffiths, 2017; ‘‘Problem gambling is a public health concern,’’ 2017; ‘‘Science has a gambling problem,’’ 2018). The confluence of isolation, excess available time, and anxiety about illness or finances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, have the potential to increase problem gambling participation during this public health emergency (Price, 2020), among vulnerable population sectors. The relevant qualities heightening the vulnerability to gambling-related harm identified in previous international research include genetic variables (Lobo et al, 2014; Potenza et al, 2005), personality traits (Odlaug et al, 2012), and mental health difficulties (Bergamini et al, 2018). Aside from mental health concerns and certain personality traits, substance-related disorders pose an additional risk (Martin et al, 2013; Shultz et al, 2016; Subramaniam et al, 2015), and tobacco use is associated with more severe gambling problems, depressive and anxiety symptoms. High rates of comorbid substance use and gambling disorders are evident in the literature, with attention drawn to overlapping clinical, neurocognitive, and neurobiological features of addictions (Grant & Chamberlain, 2014; Miela et al, 2018)
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