The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed sweeping alterations to daily routines across the globe, and Quebec’s gambling landscape was no exception. With physical gambling establishments like casinos, bingo halls, and sports betting venues shuttered, a significant migration to digital platforms ensued. This shift did not merely represent a change in medium but a profound transformation in gambling behavior among Quebecers, as uncovered by a recent comprehensive study spearheaded by researchers at Concordia University.
Conducted through a robust population survey of over 4,500 Quebec residents, this investigation revealed that between 15 and 20 percent engaged in online gambling in 2021. Notably, over five percent of these individuals were novices to the online gambling environment, indicating a marked influx of first-time participants. The study also illuminated the persistence of gambling behavior with approximately 15 percent gambling online both before and during the pandemic, while a small fraction, about 1.4 percent, ceased gambling entirely.
The primary investigator, Professor Sylvia Kairouz from Concordia’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology, emphasized the dramatic escalation in online gambling participation, which nearly tripled in scope between 2018 and 2021. This exponential growth was attributed in part to the comprehensive lockdown measures, which eliminated traditional gambling venues and inadvertently nudged users online. For many, online gambling functioned as a compensatory mechanism for the social and recreational activities curtailed during the lockdown period.
Delving deeper, the study uncovered that the majority of newly online gamblers were men, predominantly aged between 18 and 54 years, with the highest incidence among those in their late twenties to early forties. This demographic was particularly susceptible to initiating or increasing their online gambling activity during the pandemic, highlighting a critical target population for public health interventions. The motivations behind this surge were multifaceted, though largely centered on themes of boredom, isolation, and stress relief. The pandemic’s disruption fostered an environment ripe for addictive behaviors, where gambling offered an easily accessible outlet.
Intriguingly, the study also differentiated online gambling from traditional offline gambling trends, noting that pre-pandemic, physical venue gambling was on a decline, whereas online gambling had been steadily increasing. The pandemic accelerated this trajectory substantially, especially coinciding with the legalization of sports betting in Quebec in August 2021. This regulatory shift opened new avenues for online engagement, further broadening the gambling ecosystem in the digital space.
The investigation did not stop at gambling alone but drew parallels with another emergent trend: day trading. The researchers observed a pronounced uptick in day trading activity during the pandemic’s first year, a phenomenon sharing behavioral characteristics with gambling such as risk-taking propensity, rapid decision-making, and the pursuit of swift financial gains. Nevertheless, participants viewed day trading not merely as a speculative gamble but a systematic engagement involving data analysis and strategic control, despite the inherent unpredictability and overall unfavorable odds akin to gambling.
One of the salient findings of the study was the identification of accessibility and availability as pivotal factors influencing gambling behavior. Some respondents who ceased gambling during the pandemic acknowledged that the absence of physical venues bolstered their capacity to quit, suggesting that ease of access plays a significant role in sustaining gambling habits. This insight underscores the complex interaction between environmental availability and personal control in addictive behaviors.
Professor Kairouz also highlighted the policy challenges posed by the surge in online gambling. The digital ecosystem thrives on minimal regulation and pervasive advertising, which contrasts starkly with the stringent restrictions placed on other addictive commodities such as tobacco and cannabis. In Quebec, platforms like Espacejeux.com experienced explosive revenue growth—171 percent increase between 2020 and 2021—alongside a 72 percent surge in self-exclusion requests, signaling rising problem gambling behaviors amidst this deregulated climate.
The extensive use of advertising in online gambling marks a significant public health concern. Kairouz questioned the permissibility of such unrestricted promotion, drawing parallels with the advertising bans imposed on tobacco and cannabis products. The normalization and glamorization of gambling via constant advertisement contribute to an ecosystem that facilitates habitual use and undermines prevention efforts.
Critically, the mental health implications tied to the intersection of isolation, boredom, and stress during the pandemic create a fertile ground for addictive gambling behaviors to manifest and escalate. While online gambling provided an immediate outlet for many, it often compounded psychological stress in the long term, elevating the risk of addiction. The public health community is thus faced with the challenge of balancing the economic benefits of legalized gambling with the societal imperative to mitigate harm.
This study, funded by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture, provides a nuanced portrait of the transformation in gambling behaviors during an unprecedented global crisis. By integrating survey data with qualitative interviews, the research offers a granular understanding of how accessibility, demographic factors, regulatory changes, and psychosocial stressors collectively drive shifts in gambling paradigms. It prompts urgent consideration for policymakers to recalibrate regulatory frameworks and enhance preventive strategies that address the complexities introduced by digital gambling environments.
In summary, the pandemic has precipitated an accelerated migration from declining offline gambling modes to thriving online platforms, facilitated by relaxed regulatory oversight and aggressive marketing. This evolution presents novel public health challenges and calls for a reassessment of the societal costs and benefits of online gambling proliferation in a post-pandemic world.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: A portrait of online gambling: a look at a transformation amid a pandemic
News Publication Date: 6-Aug-2025
Web References: Harm Reduction Journal article
References: Kairouz, S., et al. (2025). “A portrait of online gambling: a look at a transformation amid a pandemic.” Harm Reduction Journal. DOI: 10.1186/s12954-025-01265-1
Image Credits: Concordia University
Keywords: Sociology, Online Gambling, COVID-19, Public Health, Behavioral Addiction, Pandemic Impact
