Britain’s retired face the danger of falling prey to gambling addiction after online gambling was popularized by more than half a billion during the pandemic.
Research shows 625,000 over-65s took up gambling on the net during lockdown – a greater jump than in any other age group.
Some 13.5 per cent of Britons who bet online are now over 65 – compared to 8.7 per cent in September 2019, a Royal College of Psychiatrists report reveals.
This surge in ‘silver surfers’ taking up the potentially damaging habit coincided with lockdown, when high street betting shops were closed and isolated elderly residents spent more time online.
Research shows 625,000 over-65s took up gambling on the net during lockdown – a greater jump than in any other age group (stock image)
This report is based upon data from Gambling Commission and shows that online betting has increased among all age categories in the 2 years since the outbreak.
It said: ‘The shift to online gambling is partly due to the closure of physical betting shops during the pandemic as well as limited opportunities to undertake other activities because of lockdowns.
‘Online gambling brings potential risks due to its 24/7 availability, particularly when people are at home more and may be experiencing financial uncertainty.’
According to the latest statistics, 12.1million adults in England gambled online during 2020, which is 12 percentage points higher than before the pandemic.
RCP Analysis found the greatest rise was in over 65s. Middle-aged adults followed closely. As more people gamble online than in person, this is the reason for the RCP’s analysis.
The number of people who have started online gambling has increased from 23% to 15% in the past year, with the majority being between 45 and 54 years old.
In the meantime, around 307,000 people aged 16 to 34 have stopped playing online casino.
Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones of the RCP said: ‘The pandemic has shaken our lives in so many ways and these data show that many more older people are gambling online than were before the start of the pandemic.
‘Not everyone who gambles will develop a gambling disorder, but some will. Gambling disorder is an illness and, if left untreated, can lead to significant depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.’
Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones of the RCP said: ‘The pandemic has shaken our lives in so many ways and these data show that many more older people are gambling online than were before the start of the pandemic
Burcu Borysik, Head of Policy at Royal Society for Public Health said: ‘These latest figures from the Royal College of Psychiatrists represent a deeply concerning increase in online gambling activity.
Online gambling presents a hidden crisis in public health. This is why it is so concerning that this rise is most noticeable among the elderly, especially those aged over 65. These people are more likely to become socially isolated and to suffer greater gambling harm.
‘Sadly this news comes as no surprise. It is well-known that this pandemic has seen an increase in the consumption of potentially dangerous products at home, such as alcohol. This can be a risk factor for gambling addiction.
“Mental Health has been also affected which has likewise significantly increased the probability of gambling addiction.
‘To ensure that this worrying increase does not continue beyond the pandemic, the government must ensure legislation on online gambling is fit for purpose. It is important to implement policies to ease access to online gambling. These include: affordability checks, stake limit limits for online gambling products and increased data sharing in order to detect at-risk gambling. The upcoming Gambling Act Review represents a vital opportunity to address this.’
The NHS includes gambling disorder in their long-term plans. There are many clinics across the UK that can provide treatment for anyone, even family members.