Being a Gambler during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study with Italian Patients and the Effects of Reduced Exposition (original) (raw)

“…Thus, the present study strengthens the hypothesis that gambling may change in different ways in different subgroups in the population during COVID-19 [15], and that problem gamblers may be more likely to report increasing gambling habits during the pandemic. However, in contrast to this, Italian researchers reported that the pandemic was instead perceived as a relief to problem gamblers, when lockdown procedures and the reduction of sports events decreased the possibilities for gambling [32]. Additionally, the findings from the present setting are in contrast with those from Australia [8], where gamblers responding to a survey did not systematically report a higher likelihood of increasing gambling in case of gambling problems (although such a trend was seen for the subgroup with a lower degree of problem but not for the group with the highest severity scores).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

“…For example, lifestyle changes, financial crisis, and unemployment may increase the severity of gambling [5]. In contrast, it has also been reported that the distinct periods of society lockdown may instead be relieving to problems gamblers, as specific gambling opportunities are reduced [28]. While this goes beyond the present study, these potential changes may need to be explored further in future studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

“…In addition, recent data from the present setting demonstrated that not all self-excluders are problem gamblers, and vice versa—many problem gamblers are not self-excluded [ 5 , 19 ]. Also, it should be borne in mind that individuals with a gambling disorder may also have perceived the early parts of the pandemic as relieving, if their gambling problem was primarily related to gambling types which were unavailable, therefore possibly facilitating abstinence in these individuals [ 20 ]. Likewise, in previous survey studies in the present setting, the subgroup of gamblers who reported a decrease in gambling during COVID-19 was, in size, comparable to the proportion reporting an increase.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

“…Likewise, in previous survey studies in the present setting, the subgroup of gamblers who reported a decrease in gambling during COVID-19 was, in size, comparable to the proportion reporting an increase. Thus, the absence of dramatic changes in treatment seeking [ 21 ] or self-exclusion may be a result of counter-acting changes in different subgroups of gamblers, reflecting the mixed picture of COVID-19’s impact on gambling as either concerning or, paradoxically, relieving [ 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning