Gambling during the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences of risks and changes

This study uses theories of risk society to examine how gamblers have experienced the exceptional situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and what are the risks they have associated with the situation. The qualitative data was gathered by the University of Helsinki and EHYT ry. Results show that the reduced availability of gambling has limited total consumption, and the risk of gambling-related harms has therefore become less pressing during the pandemic. While gambling is also a public health risk in addition to being a harmful activity, the policy measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed that, at a societal level, the risk of infection was perceived as a more serious problem than the risk of gambling harms.