Changes in gambling behavior during the COVID-19 lockdown in Germany

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to investigate potential changes in gambling behavior and their association with pandemic-related opinions and feelings during the lockdown in Germany. An online survey promoted via print and social media channels as well as radio interviews was conducted between 8 April and 11 May 2020 to assess self-reported changes in gambling activities and related opinions, health fears and perceived stress due to the social restrictions during the lockdown. Out of the total voluntary response sample (N = 3245, 63.9% females, 45.1% completed more than 13 school years), 66.9% (n = 2172) did not gamble neither before nor during the lockdown, 2.4% (n = 79) gambled more, 3.6% (n = 117) gambled less, 12.7% (n = 413) did not change their gambling behavior, 12.9% (n = 420) stopped gambling and 1.4% (n = 44) started gambling. The highest increase in gambling activities was related to online slot machines and online/offline roulette/card games. Higher perceived stress due to the restrictions was associated with an increase or onset of gambling. While many individuals reduced or even stopped gambling, for a minority the restrictions were associated with an increase of gambling activities. Future studies are needed to assess how subsequent lockdowns affect gambling over the longer term.