A new survey that tested the impact of the global pandemic on Australia’s gamblers has yielded some alarming results.
The Australian Gambling Research Center (AGRC) survey was designed to analyse the behaviour of Aussie gamblers during the COVID-19 pandemic, an event that has necessitated the closure of almost all land-based gambling venues and the postponement of major league sports play.
2019 gamblers were surveyed over the June-July 2020 period. Respondents were sourced via social media adverts, ‘e-news alerts’, and word of mouth. Approximately three quarters (73%) of respondents were male and 38 years old, on average.
Before COVID-19 restrictions came into place, horseracing was the preferred form of gambling for 57% of respondents in both periods. Sports betting came in second at 46% before and 45% during COVID-19. Lotteries were the third most preferred option, with figures of 41% prior and 38% during.
Previous AGRC surveys paint a different picture, where lotteries were revealed to be the most popular form of gambling at 76.2% participation. Race betting was far from its current popularity with a 14.3% participation score, with sports betting sitting at 8.4%. The survey revealed the profound effect that the pandemic has had on Australian gambling behaviour and trends.
There was a minimal decline in gambling frequency when comparing pre-COVID and during-COVID figures in all categories, save one. The percentage of respondents who gamble 4 or more times per week increased from 23% to 32%.
It is important to consider that the ‘during-COVID’ period includes the renewal of Australian rugby and football play, with the English Premier League resuming over the same period. The game schedules were a lot busier than usual as leagues rushed to make up for lost time. This situation resulted in bettors abruptly having a much larger range of betting options available and government stimulus checks burning a hole in their pockets.
Gambling spending took a knock, with the median figure falling from AU$500 in the 30 days before COVID-19 restrictions to AU$460 during lockdown. The global figure fell notwithstanding the increase of spending from AU$687 to AU$1,075 in the 18-34 males category. Spending in the 18-34 female category increased from AU$200 to AU$260. In all other categories, both male and female, spending showed a downward drift, with female gamblers driving the trend.
Online gambling experienced an expected surge during the lockdown. 62% of respondents gambled online pre-COVID, with that figure increasing to 78% during. The percentage of respondents played pokies at a pub/club withered from 23.5% to 8.1% because of government-mandated closure of these venue types. Casinos also lost business, falling from 3.8% to 1%.
77% of respondents admitted to having at least one online betting account and approximately 30% opened a new account during COVID-19. The males aged 18-34 segment represented the bulk of new accounts registered, making up 79% of new account holders.
The AGRC regularly surveys large samples to compile its problem gambling statistics. This includes ‘at risk’ gamblers who may develop behavioural problems, even if the determined risk is at the low end of the spectrum.
Bearing this in mind, there is something quite alarming about the survey’s findings that a massive 79% of respondents are “at risk of, or already experiencing, some gambling-related harm in the previous 12 months.” This figure rises to 84% of male respondents and 90% in the 18-34 demographic.
If you’re a male who loves gambling and are under the age of 35, you fall into the highest risk category so you should take extra care to monitor your habit so you can keep enjoying your hobby responsibly and sustainably.
