COVID-19 has stressed us, contributed to problem gambling in New Jersey | Opinion
By Martin Lycka
Over 1 million New Jerseyans are out of work and struggle to leave their homes. Those with gambling disorders face a uniquely problematic challenge in COVID-19, and we need to address it.
A gambling disorder is defined by persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. Approximately 2 million U.S. adults meet the formal criteria for gambling addiction, with another 4 to 6 million estimated to be experiencing gambling problems. The effects are far-reaching, impacting the families and communities surrounding those suffering from the disorder.
Studies have found that an expanded range of opportunities and access to gaming won’t necessarily increase problem gambling but the potential is real and we don’t have a roadmap for addressing gambling harm in a global crisis on the scale of COVID-19. Online poker and sports gambling are available in 18 states, and while the pandemic had shut down mainstream sports betting across the country for several months, sports betting has returned and many people continue throughout the pandemic to bet on virtual sports, online poker, and alternative markets.
With bets being placed on everything from Belarusian soccer to who will star in the movie version of Tiger King, new opportunities are being made available every day. These alternative markets can pose a serious problem for gamblers. With COVID-19, bettors may find themselves venturing into markets they’ve never before encountered, which can lead to unpredictable results. It’s easier for people to control their gambling habits when using a system they’re familiar with.
New Jersey’s online gambling sites collected a record $87.5 million in revenue in July, up from a record $85.9 million in May. This new level of online gambling activity in the state needs to be taken seriously.
Anxiety and stress are in high supply due to, among other factors, COVID-19-induced mass unemployment. These collective emotions are additional triggers that can exacerbate an existing gambling problem. Factoring in that most people have been sheltering in place for months on end, there are limited options for recreation, which can lead people to gamble for some degree of engagement.
In short: Due to the newfound availability of unfamiliar markets, a massive surge in online gambling activity, increased stress and anxiety, increased boredom, and widespread unemployment, we now find ourselves in the perfect environment for problem gambling to grow. What’s the solution? Gambling operators need to educate consumers on existing safeguards and utilize technology that allows for more extensive tracking of problematic gambling behavior.
These companies have the ability to collect their customers’ data points that communicate the frequency of play, whether they tend to go online after midnight, their tendency to gamble on payday or chase losses, and other markers of problem gambling. This data is collected by a range of gambling companies, but many illegal operators don’t bother to sort them.
Further, gambling companies need to reasonably restrict advertising across placements. Many users are being bombarded with ads across platforms that aim to spur gambling activity, and any companies aiming to wage outsized campaigns should be held accountable by regulatory agencies.
Those who gamble can take advantage of spending limits and session timers. Addicts determined to quit can make use of online 12-step recovery meetings and self-exclusion programs. Gambling helplines are open and available for those who need it.
It’s our moral responsibility to look after the most vulnerable members of our population. Those with gambling disorders and addictive tendencies deserve our unyielding financial, emotional, and regulatory support - now more than ever before.
Martin Lycka is a trustee of Trenton-based GVC Foundation US, an organization dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, sports integrity and corporate compliance throughout the country.
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