‘It’s the perfect storm’: Why gambling addictions are harder to manage under lockdown

Boredom, isolation and online adverts could create the ideal conditions for a relapse, finds Helen Coffey

Online gambling is more tempting than ever under lockdown (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“Under normal circumstances I have huge worries about the ability of this industry to captivate, and hold hostage almost, people that it ensnares in its trap,” declared MP Carolyn Harris at the end of April. ”And it’s just going to get worse.”

The MP for Swansea East was talking about gambling addiction – and her fear that lockdown could provide all the conditions necessary for those struggling to suffer a relapse. “In many cases they will lose everything they own, and in some really tragic cases they will lose their lives,” she said.

Strong words, but it wasn’t an empty statement. Gambling addiction charities have warned that the negative impacts of social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic could hit the community of those in recovery hard.

“For people living with a gambling addiction, or even those just looking for an escape who found online gambling, current circumstances have made staying safe and sane more difficult than ever,” says a spokesperson from the Gordon Moody Association, a charity that offers residential recovery programmes and resources for gambling addicts. “The isolation, debt, lack of personal space, arguments at home, separation from loved ones, concerns over jobs or the illness or death of those close to us can make anyone vulnerable to unhealthy or even dangerous coping mechanisms, which is essentially what an addiction is.”

They added that the lockdown had “created the perfect storm” when it comes to problematic gambling; the charity has seen a huge uptick in calls to its helpline and requests for its residential programme.

“We know that contributing factors, such as financial distress, isolation and boredom are increasing with COVID-19 and government measures,” Anna Hemmings, CEO of GamCare, which operates the national gambling helpline, tells The Independent. “Combined with the availability of online gambling, there is a concerning context for people at risk.”

Of course, with social distancing in place, visiting the bookies or betting on sporting events is off-limits – but online gambling is another matter. Abundantly available, easy to do without others being aware of it, and providing a welcome distraction during a period which, for many, is typified by boredom, it can be incredibly tempting. And GamCare has noted that many people are disabling self-exclusion schemes – digital blockers that are set up to help stop them accessing online betting sites – during lockdown.

“I was shocked that, over two and a half years into recovery and without a bet in that time, I found myself one evening fighting urges to play online poker,” says one recovering addict who has sought help through Gordon Moody. “Strong urges. I had to talk the voice in my head out of logging onto a gambling site. And this wasn’t even my usual form of gambling. Lockdown is the ‘perfect’ environment for a gambler: time on your hands, no work or working at home, more money and greater opportunity to bet.”

In many cases they will lose everything they own, and in some really tragic cases they will lose their lives

Another former addict, who had been gamble-free for two years, admitted to suffering a slip after feeling isolated – fear of the unknown and a lack of control during lockdown made everything “difficult to deal with”. She noted that the disruption to her routine, isolation from her family and an inability to participate in normal activities were all triggers. But the other, more worrying, element? An apparent increase in gambling advertising on her phone, particularly on Facebook.

On 28 April, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) declared that all advertising from its members was being removed from broadcast media for a minimum of six weeks. That means no TV ads, no radio plugs – but it doesn’t apply to online or text message advertising. And that’s a problem: struggling addicts have reported an upsurge in targeted advertising for online gaming sites.

“The ban on advertising on TV and radio made me realise that actually those two mediums are presently redundant as a way of reaching me as a consumer,” said one recovering addict. “My TV is purely used for Netflix and I am not currently commuting so the car radio isn’t on. It’s my mobile that I am using and that’s where the barrage of pop ups and other ads hit me all day long.“

It’s why Carolyn Harris expressed her concern that the industry wasn’t going far enough, even with the broadcast ban. “More and more I’m getting stories now of people who haven’t gambled for a while, but have returned to it because they’re being tempted by text messages or emails, or seeing gambling adverts on their Facebook page,” she said.

Nick Phillips, a representative of lobbying group Gamvisory and member of Swansea’s Gamblers Anonymous, who has battled a gambling addiction for 20 years, told the BBC he had seen a “huge increase in online gaming” among those he knows who struggle with addiction. One recovering addict, Kelly, reported being “bombarded” with online ads. “They’re flashing up all day, every day. Maybe I notice them now because we’re indoors more, but it feels like the gambling industry’s really trying to coin in on the lockdown,” she said.

Neil McArthur, chief executive of gambling regulator the Gambling Commission, told the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee last week that one in five people who’ve not gambled in the past four weeks said they were likely to do so in the next four weeks. One in 10 of those who’ve not gambled in the past year also said they were likely to gamble in the month ahead. Around 15 per cent of gamblers reported they were now spending more time gambling; 60 per cent of the “most engaged” gamblers, who are most at risk addiction, said the same.

“What we know from YouGov data is that there is a sense of people who have not gambled for a while, thinking that they might,” said Mr McArthur.

Despite all this, GamCare reported there had been a drop in calls to its helpline: the number of contacts fell by 50 per cent in the three weeks after lockdown began compared to the three weeks prior. But, rather than being a cause for celebration, the organisation is concerned that people are not seeking the help they need due to a lack of privacy.

I was shocked to find myself fighting urges to play online poker

“At a time when people could be at their most vulnerable, the lockdown may have created a situation where people may feel they can’t get help confidentially – perhaps because their families or housemates are at home all the time, and they haven’t yet shared what they are dealing with,” says Ms Hemmings. “This could add to the feeling of isolation or escalate other negative feelings which can exacerbate struggles with gambling.”

She emphasised that confidential and discrete support is still available, including a live chat service and an online forum.

The Betting and Gambling Council (BGC), which represents betting shops and online gaming firms in the UK, has argued that direct marketing from its members has “significantly dropped” across social media, email and messaging platforms. “Existing TV and radio advertising slots will be replaced by safer gambling messages, donated to charities or removed from broadcast where contracts permit,” a spokesperson said. The BGC has also produced “10 pledges”, including increased safer gambling messages plus clear signposting to organisations like GamCare, for member organisations to sign up to during the pandemic

As news of a potential easing of the lockdown looms, other challenges will present themselves for addicts. Easier access to betting shops; the eventual return of sport and the accompanying temptation that it brings. “I wonder if it’s making clients twitchy and getting their hopes up for a return to normality,” says a counsellor from Gordon Moody. “If this doesn’t prove to be the case, I think it could become more of a struggle for some.”

His clients are questioning whether this strange period has made them stronger, or if it’s just the calm before the storm. Only time will tell.

If you’re struggling with any of the issues mentioned in this article, GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline, providing information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling problems. Advisers are available 24 hours a day on Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via web chat at gamcare.org.uk.