SRFP060: Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on gamblers in Canada: Qualitative analysis of responses to an open-ended question

Marianne Renard, MEd; Sophie Audette-Chapdelaine, MA, BCL, LLB; Magaly Brodeur, MD, PhD

Abstract

CONTEXT: Many stakeholders have expressed concerns about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on gambling practices. These have historically increased during crises, potentially leading to deleterious effects on problematic gamblers, their families, and their communities. Primary care professionals need to better understand gamblers’ experience during the pandemic to offer high level of care for this population. OBJECTIVE: draw up a portrait of the experience of gamblers regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their gambling practices. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative analysis. SETTING: Content analysis of responses to a single open-ended question placed at the end of a cross-sectional survey which was online from February 16 to March 15 2021 in Quebec (Canada). Participants were recruited by a non-randomised online sampling. POPULATION STUDIED: 1529 individuals participated in the study, of whom 724 answered the open-ended question. Inclusion criteria were: (1) 18 years and older (2) living in the province of Quebec, Canada (3) has gambled at least once in the past year. RESULTS: Respondents’ median age is 43 years, 54% are women and 57% are problem gamblers according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index. Three main themes were identified: (1) the changes in gambling practices during the pandemic as perceived by the respondents, (2) the impacts of these changes on their lives, and (3) the factors that influenced these changes. A significant proportion of gamblers felt that their gambling practices had increased during the pandemic, mainly due to boredom and increased free time. Many of them did not report deleterious effects of this increase whereas others reported being devastated. On the opposite, the pandemic was perceived by some participants as a unique window of opportunity to decrease their problematic gambling practices. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic has created space to fill into many individuals’ lives as usual leisure activities, hobbies and spending habits became out of reach. It led to increased gambling for many participants. While many did not report deleterious effects of this increase, others expressed being at great risk and therefore need primary care professionals to be equipped to support them.
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Jack Westfall
jwestfall@aafp.org 11/21/2021

interesting study. nice work. thanks for sharing at NAPCRG

Marianne Renard
12/9/2021

Thank you Mr Westfall for your comment!

Gillian Bartlett
gillian.bartlett@health.missouri.edu 11/21/2021

This is fascinating (and tragic) - I didn't even think of this when considering the detrimental impact of the pandemic lock down or stay at home measures. I hope this work leads to some meaningful help for the people impacted.

Marianne Renard
12/9/2021

Hello Gillian. Indeed, some people need significant help and we hope our work can raise awareness about that. Thank you for your interest.

William R. Phillips
wphllps@uw.edu 11/21/2021

Great poster on a timely and important question with implications for our patients, families, and communities. I hope your ongoing studies can include interviews with family members, some validation of gamblers self-report, and some measure of gambling activity and results.

Marianne Renard
12/9/2021

Hello Mr Phillips. Our ongoing study includes indeed interviews with family members. Thank you for your comment!

Diane Harper
harperdi@med.umich.edu 11/22/2021

I have been so disturbed the increase in online gambling with active advertising for it in the US. The increase in psychiatric addiction will show in primary care. Thank you for sharing your work with NAPCRG!

Marianne Renard
12/9/2021

Hello Ms Harper. It is indeed disturbing. Thank you for your concern and comment.

Andy Pasternak
avpiv711@sbcglobal.net 11/26/2021

Excellent work- I mentioned on another poster that this used to be a research interested of mine and living in Nevada it was interesting to see how COVID affected many of my patients who use the casino for social interaction. Keep up the great work

Marianne Renard
12/9/2021

Hello Mr Pasternak. Thank you for your comment and for reaching out to Dr Brodeur. It is inspiring for our team!

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